Lok Sabha Question No. 245 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-05
Subject: Watershed Programme
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Ramdas Chandrabhanji Tadas

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF LAND RESOURCES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 245 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.12.2023

## Watershed Programme

## †245. SHRI RAMDAS C. TADAS:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received any complaints regarding misuse of funds in the works being carried out under the Watershed Programme;
- (b) if so, the details of funds allocated under the Programme in Maharashtra during each of the last three years and the current year;
- (c) the details of non-Government organizations and other organizations involved in this regard, State/ Union Territory-wise;
- (d) the action taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (e) the corrective measures taken by the Government to check such irregularities in the future?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)

- (a) & (c) Yes  Sir.  The  Watershed  Development  Programme  of  the  Department  of  Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development is being implemented through State Governments and release of Central funds are done directly to the State Government through PFMS. The complaints  received  in  the  Ministry  are  forwarded  to  the  concerned  State  Government  for appropriate  action.  However,  under  WDC-PMKSY  2.0,  the  Department  has  not  made any allocation directly to NGOs.
- (b) The details of funds allocated under the Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY 2.0) in Maharashtra during each of the last three years and the current year is as below:

| Year    |   Central funds released (Rs. in crore) |
|---------|-----------------------------------------|
| 2020-21 |                                  0      |
| 2021-22 |                                 50.0836 |
| 2022-23 |                                108.55   |
| 2023-24 |                                 53.4    |

(d) & (e) There is a system of State level and District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee  (DISHA)  in  place  in  the  Ministry  of  Rural  Development.  The  Committee  is responsible  to  exercise  vigilance  and  to  monitor  the  implementation  of  all  programmes  of Ministry  of  Rural  Development  including  WDC-PMKSY  2.0  being  implemented  by  the Department of Land Resources. In addition, there is National Level Monitoring (NLM) Division in  Ministry  of  Rural  Development  which  also  undertakes  visit  to  States  for  review  and monitoring  of  schemes.  Further  one  complaint  received  from  Arunachal  Pradesh  has  been referred  to  State  Government  for  needful  action.  Watershed  Development  projects  are  being implemented by State Governments. States have been requested for taking appropriate action in case of irregularities and or corruption or financial malfeasance are reported. Further States/ UTs have been advised from time to time to examine issues of corruption / malfeasance and take necessary action and conduct suo moto enquiry. Also senior officers from department regularly visit to States/UTs for effective monitoring of scheme.

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