The soul of any government scheme lies in its implementation. With this reference, critically discuss the drawbacks of Command Area Development Programme and Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP).In your view , how the recently launched Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana addresses these issues? Discuss.

The gap between IPC and IPU does not allow us to get maximum agricultural output. Despite heavy expenditure, the difference between IPC and IPU keeps a major part of India to be single crop area.
The CAD and AIBP schemes failed because there was no strong monitoring system beyond construction of main canal. The IPC was registered in papers but actual IPU was cipher because no proper distributory network was put in place. In summary, the time and cost overruns have been a major cause for worry with MMI projects. Overall, the escalation is influenced strongly by local conditions and cost overruns occur due to time overruns and consequent price escalation over time.
The newly launched PMSKY has bundled several schemes and has a decentralized planning and execution model. But its outcome is yet to be seen. The scheme has an integrated approach aiming at convergence of investments in irrigation, taking into account the entire water-cycle and does proper water budgeting for all sectors. There is a need of faster completion of ongoing Major and Medium Irrigation including National Projects; and then still the AIBP component needs to be paid full attention to bridge the gap between IPC and IPU.

Topics: GS-III: Different Types of Irrigation and Irrigation Systems