Approval given for irrigation facilities with power connection to over 6,300 families
BENGALURU
Minister for Minor Irrigation, Science and Technology N S Boseraju said borewell facilities have emerged as a major support system for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe farming families, helping them secure reliable irrigation and improve agricultural productivity.
Speaking at a progress review meeting on SCP and TSP grants with senior officials of the department at his office in Vikas Soudha, the minister instructed officials to expedite all works sanctioned for 2025–26 without delay to ensure timely delivery of irrigation facilities to SC and ST farmers across the state.
For the financial year 2025–26, approval has been accorded to provide borewell facilities with electricity connections to a total of 6,322 farming families under the SCP-TSP programme. Of these, 3,939 beneficiaries belong to Scheduled Castes and 2,383 to Scheduled Tribes. Boseraju directed officials to complete the tendering process at the earliest and ensure that the facilities reach farmers within the stipulated timeframe.
Emphasising water conservation, the minister said the government has formulated several schemes to improve groundwater levels in agricultural regions dominated by Scheduled Communities. Priority has been given to the construction of water conservation structures such as check dams and the implementation of mass lift irrigation schemes to ensure sustainable water availability.
Reviewing last year’s progress, Boseraju said that during 2024–25, borewells with electricity connections were successfully provided to 5,371 farming families, including 3,388 SC and 1,983 ST beneficiaries, at a total cost of ₹365 crore. He said the scheme had significantly enhanced irrigation coverage and reduced farmers’ dependence on erratic monsoons.
The minister also highlighted the Ganga Kalyan Yojana, which provides free borewell facilities to small and marginal farmers from backward classes. The objective of the scheme is to promote agriculture and improve livelihoods among economically weaker sections. Funds for the scheme will be released based on allocations made in the state budget.
Under the Ganga Kalyan Irrigation Scheme, small and very small farmers falling under the jurisdiction of the D Devaraja Urs Backward Classes Development Corporation are eligible for benefits. Beneficiaries must belong to Category 1, 2A, 3A or 3B backward classes, be permanent residents of Karnataka, own at least two acres of land in a single location, and should not have any existing irrigation facilities.