Finance Minister Rolls Out Rs 11,500 Crore Flood Control Fund

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has unveiled a comprehensive Rs 11,500 crore fund for flood control and irrigation projects across various states. The plan includes support for the Kosi-Mechi link and 20 other schemes. States like Bihar, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand will benefit from this initiative.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday revealed a substantial financial support plan amounting to Rs 11,500 crore aimed at enhancing flood control measures and irrigation projects across multiple states.

During her Budget presentation in the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman emphasized that the government, via the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Program and other channels, will fund diverse projects. These initiatives include the Kosi-Mechi intra-state link and 20 other ongoing schemes covering barrages, river pollution abatement, and irrigation facilities. The survey and investigation of Kosi-related flood mitigation and irrigation will also be conducted. 'Bihar has frequently suffered from floods, many of which originate outside the country. Plans to build flood control structures in Nepal are yet to progress,' she remarked.

Assam, dealing with annual floods caused by the Brahmaputra and its tributaries from outside India, is set to receive flood management and related project assistance, she added. 'We will provide aid to Assam for flood management and related projects,' Sitharaman confirmed.

Sitharaman also referenced Himachal Pradesh, which endured extensive losses last year. 'Our government will support reconstruction and rehabilitation via multilateral development aid,' she stated. Similar support is extended to Uttarakhand, affected by cloudbursts and massive landslides recently.

The Finance Minister concluded by noting that Sikkim, struck by devastating floods, will also receive governmental assistance.

(With inputs from agencies.)