Administration of major-medium irrigation projects in Indian federation

Abstract

When India launched planned development in 195 1, it was realised that the large land resources of the country could not be put to productive use without simultaneously expanding irrigation facilities. Subsequently, a policy of integrated development of the land and irrigation was adopted. In pursuance of this policy, a large share of the outlays of successive Five Year Plans has been allocated for the development of irrigation potential. As a result, the irrigation potential of the country has more than doubled since the commencement of the First Five Year Plan. Prior to 195 1, the total area irrigated in the country was 22.6 million hectares (mha)-9.7 mha by major and medium irrigation projects and 12.9 mha by minor irrigation schemes. The irrigation potential increased to 44.1 mha at the end of the Fourth Five Year Plan in 1973-74, of which 20.6mha was by major and medium projects and 23.5 mha by minor schemes. The total irrigation potential created at the end of 1977-78 was 52.2mha (24.9mha from major and medium projects and 27.3 mha from minor schemes). The ultimate irrigation potential of the country has been assessed as 113.1 mha-58.5 mha by major and medium projects and 54.6 mha by minor schemes.’ For administrative convenience, irrigation projects are classified into three categories-major, medium and minor. Projects costing more than Rs.* 5 crores? and with a culturable command area of more than 10,000 ha are classified as major, those costing between Rs. 25 lakhs? (Rs. 30 lakhs in hill areas) and Rs. 5 crores and with a culturable command area ranging between 2000 and 10,000 ha as medium and those costing less than Rs. 25 lakhs (Rs. 30 lakhs in hilly areas) and with a