Irrigation projects worth Rs 4,243 crore that are directly linked to the livelihood of farmers and which could bring a major change in the districts, have remained un-budgeted for the last ten years. In response the state government has accorded the highest priority to these projects spread across eleven districts mainly in Marathwada and Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. The water resources ministry has given the nod to the proposed projects to be undertaken through financial support from centre and NABARD. The finance department is also working ways to include some aspects of these projects in the state annual budget 2015-16 next month. [related-post] Highly placed sources in the ministry revealed, "In the 2015-16 budget, water resources will accord the highest priority to irrigation works which have direct links to farmers livelihood. And it has come to notice that there are irrigation projects worth Rs 4,243 crore which have long remained un-budgeted." The officials indicated that the annual water resources budget will have its financial constraints as it cannot exceed Rs 10,000 to 12,000 crore. But the ministry of water resources along with ministry of finance are working out ways to raise the funds from the centre and financial institutions to expedite the works. The statistics revealed by the water resources department shows, "The amount that would be required for completion of last mile projects works to Rs 1,438 crore." The last mile projects are ones which are more than 75 per cent completed and left languishing for lack of funds. The government has given its consent to push these last mile projects which would benefit farmers across 14 districts across Maharashtra. "The foremost challenge before the state is to increase the irrigation potential for higher agriculture growth and better livelihood for farmers," said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. At present the total irrigation potential is 49.26 lakh hectares, of which 27.19 lakh hectares is from major irrigation projects, 8.67 lakh hectares from medium irrigation projects and remaining 13.40 lakh hectares is from minor irrigation projects.
