In 1980, the
Rashtriya Barh Ayog (RBA) had assessed the area of 40 mha in the country lying
in 21 States and one Union Territory. Subsequently, a Committee constituted
under the Chairman, Ganga Flood Control Commission (GFCC), Patna in February’
2006 identified a total of 39 districts in the country as flood prone. The
details of these 39 districts are given in Annex-1.
A
number of Expert Committees had been set up by Government of India in the past
for study of the flood problem in various parts of the country and to suggest
ways and means for minimising frequent occurrence of floods. Recently, the
Government of India constituted a Task Force on Flood Management and Erosion
Control in 2004 which recommended immediate, short term and long term measures
of flood management and erosion control in NE region and Ganga Basin States.
The summary of recommendations of Task Force 2004 are given in Annex-2.
The
subject of Flood Management falls within the purview of the State Governments
and the role of Union Government provides support to the State Governments
which is technical, advisory, catalytic and promotional in nature. The Union
Government has also been providing central assistance to the State Governments
for effective flood management in critical areas. Based on the recommendations
of the Task Force 2004 on Flood Management/Erosion Control, the Government of
India launched a Flood Management Programme during XI Plan for providing
central assistance to the State Governments to enable them to undertake works
related to flood management/ erosion control and anti-sea erosion. Under this
Programme, a central assistance of Rs.3566 crore was provided to the various
States during XI Plan.
This information was given by
Union Water Resources Minister Shri Harish Rawat in the Lok Sabha today in reply to a written
question.
