Governor warns on taking up too many irrigation projects

Maharashtra Government should set the priority for irrigation projects, Governor K Sankaranarayanan has said, cautioning against spreading the limited resources "thin" over many projects. The Governor has also expressed concern over the huge balance cost of ongoing projects (Rs 78,451 cr as of April 1, 2012).

"Since Budgetary resources are limited, there is a need to set the priorities of projects. If limited resources are "spread thin" over a large number of projects, it will result in cost and time overruns and eventually the benefits arising out of these works will not be commensurate with expenditure," he said in his directives to the government. The directives were issued under the `Development Boards for Vidarbha, Marathwada and the Rest of Maharashtra Order, 2011', for the region-wise distribution of outlays in the Annual Plan of FY 2013-14.

"The Governor, therefore, is of the opinion that completion of the ongoing works should be taken up in a mission mode by devising a well thought-out policy of prioritization of projects," the directives said. "The Governor has noted with satisfaction that the State Government has resolved to give priority to last mile works in the scarcity areas within the allocations arrived at as per the formula prescribed in the Directives.

"The Governor is also of the view that the priority to committed expenditure in Irrigation sector should not be diluted by taking up new projects....However, as noted in the directives dated March 17, 2012, in order to utilise the balance available water of Godavari river basin in Vidarbha region, the Government should take all the necessary steps for the purpose of creating an adequate shelf of projects," the directives said.