The Cabinet approved implementation of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) for 2021-26, said Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. The scheme, he said, will benefit about 22 lakh farmers.
The PMKSY, initiated in 2015, is an umbrella scheme, consisting of two major components being implemented by Ministry of Jal Shakti, namely, Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP), and Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP).
HKKP, in turn, consists of four sub-components, namely, Command Area Development (CAD), Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI), Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies, and Ground Water Development component.
In addition, PMKSY also consists of two other components being implemented by other Departments. Per Drop More Crop component is being implemented by Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, while Watershed Development component of PMKSY is being implemented by Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development.
Central Government launched the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) in the year 1996-97 to provide central assistance to major/medium irrigation projects in the country, for early completion of advanced stage projects held up due to financial constraints. Till its inclusion under PMKSY in 2016, 297 irrigation/ multi-purpose projects were included for funding under AIBP. Out of these, 143 projects have been completed and 5 projects were foreclosed. An irrigation potential of 24.39 lakh hectare has been created through the completed projects.
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said the cabinet sanctioned Rs76,000 crore for the ambitious project, titled Programme for Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem, to be spent over a span of six years.
Apart from this union I&B minister said that Cabinet has approved reimbursement of Rs 1,300 crore on digital transactions using UPI and Rupay debit cards.
“A scheme has been approved to provide incentives to encourage digital transactions through RuPay Debit Card and BHIM UPI of small amounts. It will incur an expense of around Rs 1,300 crore,” Thakur said.
