NGO investment sought

Pranab Mukherjee NGOs will now be encouraged to invest in minor irrigation projects with the active participation of the beneficiaries, according to Pranab Mukherjee, deputy chairperson of the Planning Commission. Mukherjee was speaking at the release of a study on minor irrigation that was sponsored by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

FICCI has set up a highpowered committee chaired by M S Swaminathan and irrigation experts like Y K Alagh, vice-chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru Universityin New Delhi, to study the ways and means of tapping minor irrigation resources over a short time period. The study has revealed that it would be possible to bring down the overhead cost of project implementation if NGOs took the initiative. Over 20 million ha can be irrigated in this manner, the study estimates. Says Mukherjee, "What is needed is not more resources but effective instruments with the involvement of the beneficiaries for speedy implementation of the projects."