Centre Releases Rs. 112.5 Crore for Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme.

The Central government on Monday released Rs 112.5 crore for the Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Scheme for the year 2015-16. This was the first instalment released by the Centre, after the recent meeting of irrigation minister T Harish Rao with Union water Resources minister Uma Bharathi.

The state government submitted proposals for a financial assistance of Rs 125 crore for Devadula under AIBP this year. However, the Centre released `112.5 crore, Harish Rao said in a release on Monday.

Of the total amount sought by the state, the Centre released 90 per cent of the money. Harish Rao held discussions with Uma Bharathi and explained the situation to the joint secretaries of the Union water resources ministry on several occasions.

The I Chookka Rao Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme works commenced in 2003-04. However, it was included under AIBP in 2006-07. The Centre would fund 25 per cent of the project cost of the irrigation projects which was included in the AIBP.

The Centre released funds regularly till 2012 for Devadula, later it stopped releasing money despite the project having all necessary clearances. After formation of Telangana, Harish Rao requested the Central government officials to visit the state and inspect the project and release funds. The Central official team visited Devadula in December.

Out of the 159 projects under AIBP scheme in the country only 23 would be completed in two years. Devadula too was included in the 23 projects which would be completed in two years.

Around 5.4 lakh acres in Karimnagar, Warangal, Medak and Nalgonda would get irrigation water under Devadula.

Harish Rao also requested the Centre to increase its share from 25 per cent to 50 per cent for the projects under AIBP for newly formed state. Sources in irrigation department said Centre has responded positively.

THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS