Farmers' contribution for Narmada underground pipeline reduced

Ahmedabad: Gujarat government on Monday said the farmers' groups will have to contribute only 2.5 per cent of the total cost instead of the earlier 10 per cent for laying underground pipeline from Narmada canal network to the farms.

"Chief Minister Anandiben Patel announced that farmers' groups will now have to give just 2.5 per cent contribution instead of 10 per cent in the construction under the underground pipeline scheme which brings water to farms in irrigated area of Sardar Saravoar Narmada Dam," an official statement said.

The Rs 2,151-crore Narmada water irrigation scheme covers five lakh hectares of land in 54 tehsils.

"Now the state government will contribute 97.5 per cent amount... With this decision, state has given a relief of Rs 161 crore to the farmers," it said.