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| Unplanned execution of irrigation schemes in J&K | | No water in canals, farmers reap the tears | |
ARTEEV SHARMA
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Mar 31: While the prolonged dry spell loomed large over Jammu and Kashmir leaving the farmers deeply worried, the State's Irrigation and Flood Control Department has failed to utilize the irrigation potential to the desired extent due to "inherent deficiencies" in planning, execution and monitoring of various schemes.
The implementation of the schemes was affected due to delay in release, diversion of funds, delay in execution and non-fulfillment of pre-requisites. Lack of irrigation facilities and "lackadaisical" approach of the State Government have subjected the farmers at the verge of starvation.
According to Comptroller and Auditor General report, 173 surface minor irrigation schemes approved for execution during 2006-08 could not be taken up for execution in the respective year due to delayed release of funds.
Besides, scheme funds amounting to Rs 2.48 crore were diverted or utilized on unapproved activities during 2003-09. The report says that 23 per cent of the 240 tube wells drilled in Jammu province remained non-functional during 2004-09 as a result only 41 per cent of the irrigation potential created was utilized.
Furthermore, the Department had received funds from Government of India under Accelerated Integrated Benefit Programme (90:10), and National Agriculture Bank for Rural Development (NABARD) and also some allocation through the State Budget. "Out of total availability of Rs 379.52 crore, the Department utilized Rs 314.11 crore (83 per cent) during 2004-09 resulting in accumulation of unspent balance of Rs 52.68 crore (March 2009).
The report suggested, "For accelerating the pace of work under AIBP guidelines envisaged release of funds to the implementing agencies within 15 days from their receipt by the State Government. The test-check showed average delays of about 12 to 379 days in release of funds by the State Government to the Chief Engineers. Delayed release of funds not only resulted in non-utilization of Programme funds but also adversely affected the completion of targeted schemes."
"Construction of 173 surface minor irrigation schemes approved for execution during 2006-07 (62 schemes), and 2007-08 (111 schemes) could not be taken up for execution in the respective years due to delayed release of funds by the State Government to the implementing agencies which were taken up for execution in the subsequent years and only 16 schemes were completed till March 2009," the report revealed.
The CAG report also held the Department responsible for incurring expenditure in haste and that too, during the last quarter of the years 2004-09. While the expenditure incurred during the last quarter ranged between 56 and 88 per cent, it was ranged between 37 and 79 per cent in March every year.
The report also blamed the department for flouting the financial norms in execution of works. "Financial rules provide that no work should be taken up for execution without technical and administrative approval. About 12 schemes on which Rs 11.39 crore had been incurred (March 2009) were taken up for execution without administration as well as technical approval," it maintained.
Interestingly, no expenditure should be incurred by the Executive Engineer beyond a permissible limit of Rs 5 lakh on Annual Repairs and Distribution (ARD) without the sanction of Chief Engineers. "Four Executive Engineers (out of 11 divisions) incurred a total expenditure or Rs 12.88 crore during 2003-09 on ARD works without the approval of Chief Engineer," the report said.
Much to poor farming community's chagrin, the funds meant for providing irrigation facilities to farmers were diverted and utilized on unapproved activities like purchase of furniture, construction of a motorable bridge, silt clearance, labour payment of other 'khuls' ,hire charges of vehicles, POL, etc. "The funds amounting to Rs 2.48 were diverted for other purpose," the report said.
The CAG has recommended the Department to take up only approved schemes for execution and adequate funds be provided and released on a timely basis for approved items of work.
It may be mentioned here that out of total cultivable area of 3.12 lakh hectare in Jammu and Kashmir, 2.89 lkah hectare of land (93 per cent is irrigated through gravity canals and the remaining 0.23 lakh hectare (7 per cent) through lift irrigation schemes, tube wells, tanks.
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