**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Unstarred Question No. 1953 in Lok Sabha regarding the development of micro-irrigation networks in Tilaiya and Konar Dams, answered on 11.12.2025. The Minister of Jal Shakti addresses concerns about inadequate irrigation facilities in Hazaribagh district and proposals for micro-irrigation development. While no projects exist for Tilaiya and Konar Dams, other schemes support micro-irrigation.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Government Role and State Responsibility:** Water resource projects are planned, funded, and executed by State Governments. The Central Government's role is catalytic, providing technical support and financial assistance for identified projects.
* **Irrigation in Hazaribagh District:** Irrigation facilities are being provided in the Hazaribagh district through various schemes implemented by the Water Resources Department (WRD) of the Government of Jharkhand. An irrigation potential of 10,558.47 hectares has been created through major and medium irrigation schemes and 6,710 hectares has been created through minor irrigation schemes in the district.
* **Micro-Irrigation in Tilaiya and Konar Dams:** The WRD, Government of Jharkhand, has stated that the development of micro-irrigation networks (drip and sprinkler systems) is not part of ongoing irrigation projects, nor is any proposal under consideration for areas associated with Tilaiya and Konar dams.
* **Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) Scheme:** The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is implementing the Centrally Sponsored PDMC scheme, providing financial assistance for installing drip and sprinkler systems. Rs. 288.85 crore has been released to Jharkhand under this scheme, covering 49,432 hectares with micro-irrigation.
* **Modernization of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM) Scheme:** The Union Cabinet approved the M-CADWM scheme to create backend infrastructure supporting micro-irrigation from established water sources. It aims to enhance on-farm water use efficiency through pressurized pipe irrigation and encourage adoption of drip/sprinkler systems.
**Impact Analysis**
**Farmers in Hazaribagh District**
* **Impact:** Existing irrigation schemes provide irrigation facilities. PDMC scheme provides opportunities to access financial assistance for installing drip and sprinkler systems, potentially improving water use efficiency and agricultural production.
* **Action Required:** Farmers can apply for assistance under the PDMC scheme to implement micro-irrigation systems.
**Government of Jharkhand (Water Resources Department)**
* **Impact:** The state government is responsible for planning, funding, and executing water resource projects.
* **Action Required:** Continue implementing existing irrigation schemes and explore opportunities to integrate micro-irrigation projects, potentially under schemes like the M-CADWM.
**Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India**
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing the PDMC scheme, which provides financial assistance for micro-irrigation installation.
* **Action Required:** Continue administering the PDMC scheme, ensuring that Jharkhand and other states receive funding and support for micro-irrigation projects.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The central ministry responsible for water resources.
Per Drop More Crop (PDMC): A Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare to provide financial assistance for installation of Drip and Sprinkler systems.
Modernization of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM): Scheme to facilitate the creation of backend infrastructure supporting micro-irrigation.
Tilaiya and Konar dams: Specific dams whose associated areas are the subject of the irrigation query.
Jharkhand: State where the irrigation projects in question are located.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1953
ANSWERED ON 11.12.2025
DEVELOPMENT OF MICRO IRRIGATION NETWORK IN TILAIYA AND KONAR DAMS
†1953. SHRI MANISH JAISWAL:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that adequate irrigation facilities are not available to the farmers in
most blocks of Hazaribagh district which is adversely affecting agricultural production, if so, the details
thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to develop micro-irrigation networks (such as drip/sprinkler systems)
in areas associated with Tilaiya and Konar dams;
(c) if so, the details of the proposed or ongoing schemes in this regard; and
(d) if not, the Government’s plan to take steps in this direction?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) Water resources projects are planned, funded, executed and maintained by the State Governments
themselves as per their own resources and priority. Role of Government of India is limited to being
catalytic, providing technical support and partial financial assistance to a few identified projects under the
ongoing schemes of this Ministry.
As informed by the Water Resources Department (WRD), Government of Jharkhand, irrigation
facilities in Hazaribagh district are being provided through various schemes implemented under the
department. An irrigation potential of 10,558.47 hectares has been created through major and medium
irrigation schemes and 6,710 hectares has been created through minor irrigation schemes in the district.
(b) & (c) The WRD, Government of Jharkhand has informed that the development of micro-irrigation
networks using drip and sprinkler systems is not part of any ongoing irrigation projects and also no such
proposal is under consideration, in the areas associated with the Tilaiya and Konar dams.
(d) The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India is implementing the
Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) to provide financial assistance for installation
of Drip and Sprinkler systems, in the Country including Jharkhand from the year 2015-16. Total central
assistance of Rs. 288.85 crore has been released to Jharkhand under the PDMC scheme and area of 49,432
hectare is covered under micro-irrigation.
Further, the Union Cabinet has approved Modernization of Command Area Development and Water
Management (M-CADWM) scheme to facilitate the creation of backend infrastructure supporting micro-
irrigation from established water sources up to the farm gate (up to about 1 Ha). The scheme envisages to
enhance on-farm water use efficiency by providing pressurized pipe irrigation network and encouraging the
farmers to adopt drip/ sprinkler systems for efficient use of water.
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