GOVERNMENT OF SIKKIM
IRRIGATION & FLOOD CONTROL DEPARTMENT
ANNUAL PLAN (2014 – 2015 )
FOR IRRIGATION AND FLOOD CONTROL SECTOR IN SIKKIM
The mandate of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department includes Development of Water Resources, Construction of Minor Irrigation Channels, Maintenance of Irrigation Schemes, Water management and Water Conservation as a Nodal Department for clearance of schemes relating to River, assessment of Irrigation and its development, Flood Control and Anti-erosion works , including management and control of drainage and Jhoratraining works.Irrigation development in the State was initially being looked after by the Rural Development Department till 1986. Irrigation and Flood Control Department was created only in 1986 and since then the Department issolely responsible for the above mandate.
Like most States in Indiaagriculture is the main occupation and important land use in Sikkim. Agricultural lands are well spread over from an elevation of 300 to 3000 metres. Most of the cultivable lands are terraced and farmers have well settled on these holdings with established regular cropping pattern.
In Sikkim the annual rainfall ranges from 3000mm to 4000mm. It receives high precipitation during May to September. However, the rainfall is not scattered evenly all over the State and also time of occurring of the precipitation and the time of water requirements of the crops do not coincide for a number crops. Some crops like vegetables, other crops need frequent irrigation and for these crops regular supply of irrigation water from assured source is essential. Hence, the need to have assured irrigation system for the cultivation of number of crops like, vegetables, floriculture etc. which are more profitable and viable for our State is important. Besides, the soil condition and steep terrains do not permit retention of the rain water for longer period. Therefore, to intensify or to enhance the agriculture produce, it is important to properly harness or augment water resources available in the rivers and rivulets to boost the agriculture in the State. The State has fertile land and varied altitudes and climatic conditions favorable for growth of large varieties of crops and vegetables. But the growth in agriculture sector can be intensified and achieved only through assured irrigation system. The availability of assured irrigation system will also increase the number of cropping annually. This will help to increase the production and will also help to improve the Gross Domestic Product of the State, besides improving the living condition of the masses in the rural areas. The State Government is emphasizing on the improvement of the living condition of rural population and their self sustainability. The vision of the State Government can be achieved through the improvement in the agriculture sector and irrigation is an important allied sector. Horticulture and Floriculture are in the top agenda of the State Government and both these sectors need assured irrigation system. The Government has already initiated Organic Mission and boost the same irrigation has a pivotal role to play.
The main crop requiring irrigation during khariff season is paddy and the system of irrigation for paddy is by flooding. Therefore, rainwater can not irrigate the paddy crops completely as the crops have to be provided with irrigation water continuously almost through out the crop period which extends from five to six months. Besides, during seedling period of the paddy i.e. during March to May, the State receives no rains or very scanty rainfall, not sufficient to meet the irrigation requirements of the paddy seedling. Also as mentioned above, the precipitations are not uniform and occur in short spells. Hence, irrigations have to be provided from perennial sources of water for paddy cultivation. Besides, due to steep topography and the high porosity value of the soil, the water retention capacity of the soil is very poor. It is due to these facts the irrigation water has to be provided to the crops frequently and for the same the farmers can not rely on rain water completely. Therefore, the water available in the streams and rivulets are diverted to the fields by construction of channels to provide assured irrigation.
The Approach Paper to 12th Five Year Plan Document lays emphasis upon Irrigation, as inputs for Food Security. The State consisting of hilly terrain only minor Irrigation Projects is being taken up. Since the State is located in Seismic Zone-V, the minor Irrigation and landslide and Flood Control Measures is vulnerable to damages. The major earthquake of 18th September 2011 that hit the entire State was among such instances wherein damage to Water Management infrastructure comprising irrigation systems and flood control system was among the affected areas beside loss of precious lives and damage to property and other infrastructure.
Considering the impact of the past earthquake the proposal for 12th Five Year Plan include restoration of damages to Minor Irrigation Channels, Flood Management Programme (FMP) schemes, Anti-erosion works, Jhora Training and protection worksaffected by the earthquake.
The Annual Plan proposal amounting to the tune of Rs. 21910.00lakhs for the Financial Year 2014-15 has been given head wise as under:
- (i) 2702- MINOR IRRIGATION
The Department of Irrigation and Flood Control Department propose to target 10,000 Ha for the 12th Plan period. The financial requirement to achieve the target of this flagship scheme would be 12000lakhs. The physical target for the Annual Plan 2014-15 is 1500 Ha and the proposed outlay is Rs. 2000.00 lakhs.
(A)_ Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Program (AIBP) : -
Proposed Outlay 2014-15:- Rs. 2000.00 lakhs
Scheme / Amount (in Lakhs) / RemarksAIBP Schemes (90% Central Share) / 1800.00 / It is proposed to achieve target of 3000.0 Ha.
AIBP Schemes (10%State Share) / 200.00
New Proposal for AIBP Schemes / Rs.2000.00
Flood Management Schemes under Brahmaputra Board (70% Central Share) / Rs.9100.00
Flood Management Schemes under Brahmaputra Board (30% State Share) / Rs.3900.00
Total for Flood Management schemes / Rs.13000.00
The Department has a projected target of 10,000 hectare for the 12th Plan with financial involvement of Rs. 11000.00lakhs, proposed to be met by AIBP. The last lot of 63 Minor Irrigation under AIBP was taken up during 2007-08, 2008-09 and was completed during 2009-10.
During 2010-11, 225 number .of MIC schemes costing 5791.78 lakhs have been sanctioned with the stipulation to complete the works Rs.579.18 lakhs as State Share and 5212.60 lakhs as Central Share. The Gross Potential Created after completion of 225 numbers of schemes would stand at 38000 Ha. It is now proposed to take up 156 number of new MIC at a cost of Rs. 5632.00 lakhs. The proposal is already with the Ministry of Water Resource (Minor Division) and is awaited sanction during the current financial year. However the work will be completed by the financial year 2016-17.
Sl. No. / Schemes / Year of implementation / Cost(Rs.in lakhs) / Potential
Created
(Hectare) / Potential
Utilization
(Hectare)
1 / 129 nos. of
Schemes / 1999-2000-2001-2002 / 565.42 / 1922.82 / 1634.32
2 / 62 nos. of
Schemes / 2002-2003-2004 / 200.00 / 712.15 / 676.54
3 / 100 nos. of schemes / 2004-2005 / 200.00 / 357.73 / 339.84
4 / 79 nos. of schemes / 2005-2006-2007 / 457.04 / 1737.76 / 1650.87
5 / 63nos. of schemes / 2008-09-10 / 689.28 / 1719.55 / 1638.50
6 / 225 nos of schemes / 2010-11-12-13 / 5791.78 / 8244.12 / 5448.15
7 / 156nos of schemes / 2013-14 -15-16 / 5632.00 / 4179.51
Total / 814nos of schemes / 13535.52 / 18873.64 / 11388.22
Till now, 29233.84 hectares of potential has been created, out of which 25304.58 hectares potential has been utilized. With the implementation of 156 no of new MIC schemes, the additional potential created shall be 4179.51 Ha.
There is a huge potential of Irrigation in the State with the existing available Water Resources in the forms of Streams and rivulets. Out of the total Culturable Command Area of 1,09,000.00 Ha it is estimated that approximately 79000 Ha can be covered under Assured Irrigation System. The total area covered under Assured Irrigation System till date is 29233.84 Ha. Thus 49766.16 Ha ( say 50000 Ha) it is yet to be covered by Assured Irrigation System .
The Irrigation & Flood Control Department has targeted to create an Ultimate Irrigation Potential of 50000 Ha. The total Potential Planned after completion of the ongoing and new projects shall be18873.64 Ha.
1.(ii) ANTI-EROSION / FLOOD MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES (FMP)
Proposed Outlay for 2014-15: Rs.13000.00 lakhs
Another important task taken up by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department in the State is Flood Control, River Training Works, Drainage, Anti-erosion Works and Jhora Training Works to mitigate the hazard of landslides. Sikkim being a hilly State is constantly hit by landslides during the monsoons and considerable public as well as private properties are affected every year besides causing loss of innocent lives. Landslides constitute a major geological hazard in Sikkim, because they are widespread and occur in every nook and corner of the State. A landslide is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such as rock falls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows, etc. Although gravity acting on and over steepened slope is the primary cause of landslides, there are other contributing factors affecting the original stability of the slopes.
Himalayasrepresent a high energy environment. This is due to altitude, gravitational force, relief and steep slopes. A constant process of change in the environment is triggered by an inherent nature of mountain. The in cohesive soil mass, extremes of temperature in the sub-zero region, high wind velocities and intense precipitation couple with topography and slopes have over the ages continued to keep the landscape in turmoil. Human intervention in the name of developmental activity has gradually disturbed the dynamic equilibrium of various natural processes to an extent that there is a danger of the ecological structure getting irreversibly damaged.
PRESENT STATUS
The Department has 24 major River Training & Anti-erosion works in hand which have physical progress of about 95% in average and shall be completed within current financial year. The State Technical Advisory Committee has cleared and approved 38 nos. of Anti-Erosion/Flood Management Programme at an estimated cost to Rs. 33631.07 lakhs. Out of this, 17 nos. of Schemes above Rs. 12.50 croreamounting to the tune of Rs. 26139.74lakhshas been already submitted to the Ministry of Water Resources, New Delhi for accord of sanction. The 17 schemes have already received investment clearance from the Planning Commission to the tune of Rs.26139.74 and is being submitted to the MOWR for financial concurrence and sanction. It is expected that sanction will be accorded within the current financial year and implementation will commenced from 2014-15 to be completed within 2016-17. Remaining 16 schemes, after Techno-economic vetting by Brahamaputra Board, Guwahati needs to be to be forwarded to Planning Commission, New Delhi after approval of the State Government and has been already processed.
Further, during 2011-12 following 4(four) number of FMP schemes were sanctioned to the tune of Rs. 7939.52 lakhs under FMP and these schemes have been phased out in financial period to complete.
(1).Storm Water Drainage below Green Field Airport, Pakyong -Rs. 4625.00 lakhs,
(2). RTW/AEW/JTW along River Teesta & its tributaries under South District amounting to Rs. 1380.63 lakhs.
(3). RTW/AEW/JTW along River Rangit & its tributaries under South District amounting to Rs. 1466.90 lakhs.
(4) During 2012-13 ,11(Eleven) schemes i.e, for Restoration of damaged FMP schemes due to earthquake of 18.09.2011 were sanctioned to the tune of Rs. 466.99 lakhs.
All the above schemes are on progress and some are nearing completion during 2013-2014.
(B).DIRECTION AND ADMINISTRATION
Proposed Outlay for 2014-15: Rs.970.00 lakhs
The current year expenditure has been taken as yard stick and 20% cumulative increase has been considered to arrive at the estimated cost of Direction and Administration and accordingly the proposed outlay for 12th Plan has been worked out to Rs.5000.00lakhs with the Annual Plan outlay for 2014-15 at Rs. 970.00 lakhs. The Department is presently headed by Principal Chief Engineer-cum-Secretary and has one Chief Engineer, one Additional Chief Engineer and two Superintending Engineers. There are 5 Divisions headed by Divisional Engineers, 9 Sub-Divisions under the administrative control of the Assistant Engineers at different locations. The Division Offices and Sub-Division Offices have Junior Engineers as well as ministerial and field staff for day to day functioning of their offices. To look after the administrative matters there exist one Additional Secretary, one Joint Secretary and one Deputy Secretary and other ministerial staff to assist them. The Accounts Section is headed by Sr. Accounts Officer and Sr.Accountants and other staffs. The Monitoring and Evaluation Cell is headed by Joint Director. The salary of his office is met up from Central Assistance. The proposed outlay for 2014-15 is Rs.970.00 lakhs which has been worked on the actual strength and requirement as of the status as on date. The provision includes for salaries of the regular as well as work charged establishment and office expenses, travel expenses, Motor Vehicles etc.
(C).SURVEY AND INVESTIGATION
Proposed Outlay for 2014-15: Rs20.00 lakhs
The successful implementation of schemes depends to a great extent on how the detailed project reports have been formulated and this again depends on the result of survey works. Therefore, Survey and Investigation play a vital role and constitute an important component of the process of implementation of engineering works. No schemes can be properly conceived, planned and cost estimation done without proper survey and investigation. The Department is now getting considerable funds from various funding agencies and for which it has to perform several preliminary as well as detailed surveys to analyze and evaluate the schemes. Survey and Investigation are mandatory for all schemes for preparation of Detailed Project Report. A provision of Rs. 150.00 lakhs has been proposed for the 12th Plan with Rs. 30.00 lakhs for the Annual Plan outlay for 2014-15.
(D).MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT
Proposed Outlay for 2014-15: Rs.20.00 lakhs
All the schemes are planned and detail project reports are prepared based on the survey and investigation report and data collected at the field by the survey team. Since couple of years the number of schemes has increased by manifolds. Therefore, the quantum of work in survey and investigation has also been increased equally. The available equipments and machineries have become less to cope up the present work load. Hence, for procurement of survey instruments and equipments provision of Rs.50.00 Lakhs has been made for the 12th Plan and Rs.25.00 lakhs for the Annual Plan 2014-15. This is one time investment and same instruments and equipments can be used for future schemes.
(E).CAPITAL OUTLAY ON MINOR IRRIGATION
Proposed Outlay for 2014-15: Rs. 80.00 lakhs
The proposed outlay for 12th Plan has been kept at Rs.300.00 lakhs. It is proposed to keep Rs.80.00 lakhs for the Annual Plan 2014-15. The Department propose to construct one office building at Pakyong for housing the office of Assistant Engineer (Pakyong) which is presently run in a rented building.. The process of land acquisition is in the progress. Once the land is finalised the construction of office Building can be taken up.
It is proposed to initiate the construction work of the office of the Assistant Engineer at Pakyong and initiate the process of land acquisition at Gyalzing, West Sikkim for construction of the Office of Divisional Engineer (West).
2.FLOOD CONTROL AND RIVER TRAINING (OTHER CHARGES/ FCRT):
Proposed Outlay for 2014-15: Rs.3000.00lakhs
650 schemes like Anti-Erosion, Jhora Training, Catch Water Drains and Protective Works have been sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs. 6192.00 lakhs under FCRT which were committed during the Hon’ble Chief Minister’s 42 days’ village to village tour in 2011-12. These schemes after obtaining Cabinet approval awarded to the various Cooperative Societies except for a few, the work were awarded to contractor where Co-operative Societies were not found at various GPUs. About 70% works / schemes sanctioned during 42 days of HCM’s village to village have been completed and rest is under progress. Out of total sanctioned cost of Rs. 6192.00 lakhs, Rs.1021.00 lakhs was allocated during 2011-12, 2012-13and Rs. 17200.00lakh during 2013-14. The Department now has spillover liabilities of Rs.3271.00 lakhs during 2014-15.
3. NORTH-EASTERN COUNCIL (NEC)
Proposed Outlay for 2014-15: Rs.1000.00lakhs
Under North Eastern Council(NEC) fund one scheme viz. Storm Water Drainage System in and around Gangtok (10 nos. Jhora Training Work) was sanctioned during the year 2004-2005. Two number of schemes i.e JTW/AEW at Sainotar, Temi in South Sikkim and RTW below Adampool, East Sikkim were sanctioned during 2010-2011 at an estimated cost of Rs. 687.04 lakhs. These schemes have been physically completed during 2011-12 and 2012-13, however final installment is yet to receive from the NEC for the release ofcontractor’s payment.
The AEW/JTW outside the Defined Boundary of Namchi was also sanctioned under NEC at an estimated cost of Rs. 367.75 lakhs during 2011-12 which is underprogress. It is proposed to take up two priority schemes during 2014-15 namely:
1. CWD/JTW for Cherenzi Project, SangaChoeling Complex,
Pelling, West Sikkim. Rs. 449.80 lakh.
- Anti-Erosion worka at Arithang, Gangtok. Rs. 300.00 lakh.
- River Training Work along Tributary of Rangit
River at HeriKhola and Sang Khola at
Upper Rimbu under Darap-Nambu ,Yangthang
Constiuency in West Sikkim. Rs. 498.05 lakh.
4.NATIONAL BANK OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (NABARD)
Proposed Outlay for 2014-15: Rs. 800.00 lakhs
The Irrigation & Flood Control Department have been implementing various schemes including Minor Irrigation Channels having Cultural Command Area less than 20 hectare, and not covered under AIBP in the State since 1998. As per the guidelines of AIBP, the Minor Irrigation schemes to be implemented under AIBP should have minimum of 20 hectare of CCA. There is numerous demands and representation of public requesting for MI schemes which are having less than 20 hectare of CCA and that does not cover under AIBP. In order to supplement the shortfall under Minor Irrigation schemes and to achieve target set for 11th Plan, the department has sought sanction for Irrigation schemes from the outlay under NABARD. RIDF XIV & XVI with physical and financial implication as under:
Details of the fund allocated under NABARD for Minor Irrigation schemes:
RIDF Trench / No. of schemes / Amount / Physical TargetRIDF XIV / 80 / 201.47 / 174.40
RIDF XVI / 04 / 50.00 / 40.00
Minor Irrigation Schemes proposed during 2013-14.