On December 15, 2021, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved implementation of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) for 2021-26 with an outlay of Rs.93,068 crore.
Key Points
• CCEA approves central support of Rs.37,454 crore to States.
• 20,434.56 crore of debt servicing has been approved for loan availed by the centre to develop irrigation during the last phase of PMKSY, 2016 and 2021.
• As a part of the scheme, Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), Watershed Development and Har Khet ko Paani (HKKP) components have been extended for 2021-26.
Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP)
• A flagship programme of Government of India, AIBP aims for providing financial support to irrigation projects.
• Total additional irrigation potential creation targeted during 2021-26 under AIBP is 13.88 lakh hectare.
• Apart from focused completion of 60 ongoing projects additional projects can also be taken up.
• The inclusion criteria have been relaxed for projects under tribal and drought prone areas.
Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP)
• Har Khet Ko Pani component of the scheme aims to enhance the physical access on farm & expansion of cultivable area under assured irrigation.
• Under it, repair-renovation-restoration of water bodies and surface minor irrigation components is targeted to provide more of 4.5 lakh hectare irrigation.
Watershed Development
• This component of the scheme focuses on development of rainfed areas for soil & water conservation, arresting runoff, regeneration of ground water and promoting extension activities related to water harvesting & management.
• The Watershed Development component will cover 49.5 lakh hectare rainfed or degraded lands for bringing additional 2.5 lakh hectare under protective irrigation during 2021-26.
About PMKSY
• Launched in 2015, PMKSY scheme is an umbrella scheme that provides central grants to the state governments for specific activities. It comprises of two major components namely, Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP), and Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP).
• Watershed Development part is being implemented by Department of Land Resources.
• Another component of PMKSY, Per Drop More Crop is being implemented by Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
