Govt cuts funds for Water Ministry, Clean Ganga gains most

The Water Resources Ministry has witnessed a substantial slash in its fund allocations in the Union Budget 2015-16 though Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pet project for cleaning river Ganga was accorded a good hike.

The Ministry, which is also implementing another key government project of interlinking rivers, has been earmarked a total of Rs. 4,232.43 crore in the Budget presented on Saturday.

Of this, 'The National Ganga Plan' has been earmarked Rs. 2100 crore, which is Rs. 600 crore more when compared with the revised Budget of 2014-15.

The amount is to be met from the National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF). The total allocation is less by over Rs 1,700 crore, when compared with the revised Budget for the 2014-15 fiscal, in which thrust was laid on cleansing of the holy river. The previous UPA government had allocated Rs.13,836 crore for the ministry in the Budget last year.

The Polavaram Project Authority, a centrally funded multi-purpose irrigation project in Andhra Pradesh, has been given Rs. 100 crore funds to start with.

While the government has given Rs 100 crore for the detailed project report (DPR) of interlinking of rivers, it has allocated Rs. 244.64 crore for flood control. Ghat work and beautification of river front have also been allocated Rs.100 crore.