Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) Extended for 2021-26

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Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)- Relevance for UPSC Exam

GS Paper 2: Governance, Administration and Challenges- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister has approved the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
- The CCEA approved an outlay of Rs. 93,068 crores, including Rs.37,454 crore central assistance to States for PMKSY 2021-26.
The CCEA has also approved central support of Rs.37,454 crore to States and Rs.20,434.56 crore of debt servicing for loans availed by the Government of India for irrigation development during PMKSY 2016-21.

About: PMKSY is an umbrella scheme launched in 2015, providing central grants to the State Governments for specific activities related to irrigation infrastructure development in rural areas.
- Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation:
  - Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP), and
  - Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP)
- Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: it is implementing the ‘Per Drop More Crop’ scheme.
Components of PMKSY: All the three components of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) have been approved for continuation during 2021-26. The three components of the PMKSY are-
- Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP),
- Har Khet ko Paani (HKKP) and
- Watershed Development components

About: AIBP is a flagship program of the Government of India that aims for financial support to irrigation projects.
Targets for 2021-26: Total additional irrigation potential creation targeted during 2021-26 under AIBP is 13.88 lakh hectares.
- Apart from the focused completion of 60 ongoing projects including their 30.23 lakh hectare command area development, additional projects can also be taken up.
- The inclusion criteria have been relaxed for projects under tribal and drought-prone areas.

About: HKKP aims for enhancement of physical access on the farm and expansion of cultivable area under assured irrigation.
Targets for 2021-26: Surface minor irrigation and repair-renovation-restoration of water bodies component of PMKSY is targeted to provide additional 4.5 lakh hectare irrigation.
- Significant expansion of inclusion criteria for rejuvenation of water bodies, and enhance the central assistance from 25% to 60% in the general area.
- Ground Water component of HKKP, approved provisionally for 2021-22, targets the creation of irrigation potential of 1.52 lakh hectares.

Watershed Development Component: It focuses on the development of rainfed areas towards soil and water conservation, regeneration of groundwater, arresting runoff and promoting extension activities related to water harvesting and management.
Targets for 2021-26: Completion of sanctioned projects covering 49.5 lakh hectare rainfed/ degraded lands to bring additional 2.5 lakh hectare under protective irrigation, during 2021-26.
- A specific provision for the development of spring sheds has been included in the program.