Current Affairs 2022: Extension of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana

Storage in the Yamuna basin would benefit six states in the upper Yamuna basin, including Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan.

Despite the country's reliance on agriculture, the distribution of resources needed to harvest high-quality grains is skewed. It is for this reason that in April 2015 the cabinet committee on economic affairs chaired by the Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi approved the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), which combined three existing schemes: The Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Program of the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, the Integrated Watershed Management Program of the Department of Land Resources, and the On-Farm Water Mapping Program (OFWMP). 

Functions of PMKSY

For families, horticulture and businesses, water budgeting is achieved by bringing together Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Research and Financial Institutions involved in water creation, utilisation, reuse and potential reuse. Thus, the entire "water cycle" can be considered and accomplished for all areas, including families, horticulture and businesses. The PMKSY program is designed to enable the States to develop District Irrigation Plans (DIPs) and State Irrigation Plans (SIPs) for their respective districts (SIP). All buildings built to the blueprints will be geotagged. PMKSY's functionality is designed to achieve its goals.

Objectives of PMKSY

Assuring a long-term supply of water to each farm while maintaining the groundwater level is the ultimate goal of PMKSY. The 'Har Khet Ko Pani' terminology was used to help increase access to irrigation facilities and the cultivable range within guaranteed irrigation areas. PMKSY is also working to improve on-farm water efficiency to promote more sustainable water use. The government consolidated the source, distribution and efficiency of water through appropriate technologies to promote the adoption of water-saving technologies in general (More crop per drop) and improve aquifer recharge and long-term water conservation practices, among other things.

Components of PMKSY

Following are the program components that are included in PMKSY:

- The Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Program (AIBP)

- To concentrate on completing ongoing major and medium irrigation projects, as well as national projects, as quickly as possible.

- Har Khet ko Pani: Water bodies are being repaired, restored, and renovated; traditional water sources are strengthened, and rainwater harvesting structures (Jal Sanchay) are constructed. Command and control centres, distribution networks, and a sink for runoff are all being built. Groundwater is being developed in abundant areas as a sink for runoff.

Improving water management and distribution systems for water bodies to fully utilise the available source (deriving benefits from low hanging fruits). At least 10% of the command area should be irrigated with micro/precision irrigation.

- PMKSY (Per Drop More Crop): In addition to developing a State/District Irrigation Plan, approving an annual action plan, and monitoring. Promotion of efficient water conveyance and precision water application devices in agriculture (Jal Sinchan)

- Exceeding the MGNREGS permissible limit (40%) for activities such as lining inlet and outlet pipes, silt traps, distribution systems, etc.

Extension of PMKSY

Back in December 2021, the government approved an extension of the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Program (AIBP), Har Khet ko Pani (HKKP), and watershed development components of the PMKSY for a period of four years, until 2025–26.

The AIBP, which provides financial assistance to irrigation projects, aims to increase irrigation coverage to 1.39 million hectares by 2025-26, according to the government. As part of the program, in addition to completing 60 ongoing projects, which include the development of a three-million-hectare command area, additional projects can also be undertaken. In addition, the inclusion criteria for projects in tribal and drought-prone areas have been relaxed to make them more accessible.

"Central funding of 90 per cent of the water component for two national projects, namely the Renukaji Dam Project in Himachal Pradesh and the Lakhwar Multipurpose Project in Uttarakhand, has been made available through the National Development Finance Corporation. Storage in the Yamuna basin would benefit six states in the upper Yamuna basin, including Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan. The two projects will increase water supply to Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. It represents a significant step forward in the revitalisation of the Yamuna" said Ashwini Vaishnav, a Union minister.

The government plans to bring 4,50,000 hectares under irrigation through minor projects and the rejuvenation of water bodies as part of the HKKP, which aims to increase the cultivable area under assured irrigation by increasing the area under cultivation.

In addition, the government anticipates completing sanctioned projects covering 4.95 million hectares of degraded land and bringing an additional 2,50,000 hectares under protective irrigation by 2025-26 as part of the watershed development component.

In addition, the cabinet approved an incentive program to encourage the use of low-value RuPay debit cards and BHIM-UPI transactions (person-to-merchants only).

Communications minister Ashwani Vainshaw explained that "under the scheme, acquiring banks will be incentivised by the government by way of paying a percentage of the value of transactions done through RuPay Debit cards and low-value BHIM-UPI modes of payment at an estimated financial outlay of INR 1,300 crore for a period of one year with effect from 1 April 2021."

According to the government, this scheme will encourage banks to develop robust digital payment ecosystems, promote RuPay Debit card and BHIM-UPI digital transactions across sectors and segments of the population, and expand the reach of digital payments throughout the country. It will also aid in the widespread acceptance of digital payments in underserved and marginalised communities.

Conclusion

PMKSY is one of the ambitious projects in alignment to increase the income of the Indian farmers in a set time. Hence, this scheme is launched for the sustainable use of resources, especially water that is required in excessive amounts in irrigation. And in the coming years, we will definitely see a difference within the country by the implementation of this scheme. 

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