CHAPTER-3
SALIENT FEATURES
3.1.1 Some of the important features brought out as a result of second census of minor irrigation schemes in 20 States & 4 U.T.s are highlighted in the following paragraphs
3.2
IRRIGATION POTENTIAL CREATED/UTILISED
3.2.1 The total potential created through minor irrigation schemes has increased from 30.06 million hectares (mha) in 1986-87 to 41.31 mha in 1993-94, while potential utilised through the minor irrigation schemes increased from 25.84 mha in 1986-87 to 31.78 mha in 1993-94.
3.2.2 During the same period the potential created through ground water schemes alone increased to 33.30 mha from 24.02 mha, while the potential utilised through ground water schemes increased to 26.63 mha from 21.24 mha. Similarly, the potential created through surface water minor irrigation schemes increased from 6.04 mha to 8.01 mha, while the potential utilised increased from 4.60 mha to 5.15 mha.
3.2.3 Of all the States, the maximum potential
created and utilised through the minor irrigation schemes pertain to Uttar
Pradesh which accounts for 27 percent and 28 percent of total potential created
and total potential utilised respectively.
3.3 NUMBER OF SCHEMES
AND THEIR PERFORMANCE
3.3.1 The total number of minor irrigation schemes increased from 8.24 million in 1986-87 to 9.30 million in 1993-94.
3.3.2 During the year 1993-94, there were 4.09 million electrical and 3.84 million diesel pumps being used for minor irrigation schemes.
3.3.3 The census results have revealed that 98 percent of the dug wells, 99 percent of the shallow tubewells, 81 percent of the deep tubewells, 60 percent of the surface flow and 90 percent of the surface lift schemes were in the private sector. Therefore, the share of public sector in the minor irrigation is very limited.
3.3.4 As per the second census of minor irrigation projects, 7.243 million minor irrigation schemes were under utilised due to various reasons. Of this the percentage of minor irrigation schemes under utilised due to inadequate power, mechanical break down, less water discharge and others is 19.29 percent, 4.99 percent, 20.82 percent and 54.90 percent respectively.
3.3.5 During the census it has been observed that out of 9.30 million minor irrigation schemes, 0.52 million schemes were not in use. Status wise break up of such schemes in terms of percentages are as follows: temporarily out of use- 67.02 percent, abandoned due to salinity- 4.49 percent, dried up -15.19 percent, destroyed - 4.90 percent and others- 8.40 percent. The benefited area lost on account of these schemes was 1.97 mha.
3.4.1 Of the total area irrigated through minor irrigation schemes, kharif crops accounts for 38.27 percent, rabi 53.60 percent, perennial 4.85 percent and others 3.28 percent.
3.4.2 The share of crop-wise area irrigated through minor irrigation schemes as supplementary source of irrigation was 10.29 percent.