CCSAP Report - Ministry of Home Affairs

to the Technical Management Board. Normally, the project-wise and region-wise
budget, as approved by the Technical Management Board within the total
allocation available to the sector, should be accepted by the Government.
However, if for some cogent reasons, the Government cannot accept the
recommendations of the Technical Management Board, it may refer the matter
back to that Board with reasons, for re-consideration. The budget should clearly
indicate the region-wise funding. The Corporation should not normally re-allocate
or divert the funds from one region to another. However, if this becomes
absolutely essential, it should approach the Government through the Technical
Management Board and the re-adjustment may be done after considering the
advice of Technical Management Board.
(vi) Alternative institutional mechanisms for equity in funding: The
Committee has recommended the process of achieving equitable funding in
regard to water related expenditure through the structure of the Irrigation/Water
Resources Development Corporation and Technical Management Board.
However, if necessary, the State can consider other alternatives also. For
example, in Maharashtra, using the power vested in the President under Article
371(2) of the Constitution, the Governor ensures equitable funding in regard to
irrigation, district-wise, so as to remove the backlog in a limited time-frame. The
Committee has studied this procedure. Although it has its shortcomings, by and
large it is effective. Similar or any other procedure, that can ensure equitable
apportionment of funds to the regions in regard to water related development
which the legislature, by convention, accepts and allots the budget with region-
wise break-up to the Corporation, can also be considered.
4.5.08 It is hoped that with the above reforms, the discord caused by
issues pertaining to development and allocation of water and irrigation resources
would be minimized, if not totally eliminated, in either situation.
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