NABARD sanctions Rs 18.76 cr to Himachal Pradesh under RIDF

SHIMLA: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development has sanctioned an assistance of Rs 18.76 crore to Himachal Pradesh for 19 minor irrigation and 15 rural drinking water schemes in the state.

The assistance to the hill state came under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), a NABARD release said.

The 19 new irrigation schemes comprise 12 flow irrigation schemes, 5 lift irrigation and 2 deep tubewell schemes for Bilaspur, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaour and Solan districts, it said.

Upon completion, these schemes will provide irrigation to 734.77 hectares of land in the state, it said.

The 15 drinking water supply schemes will benefit 47,268 people in villages of Chamba, Bilaspur, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla and Una districts, the release said.

In aggregate, NABARD has so far sanctioned 1,272 irrigation projects, 510 projects for rural roads and 174 bridges, 31 flood protection works and 19 animal husbandry centres/hospitals, it said.

Sanctions by NABARD during the current year aggregate to Rs 176.97 crore, of which, Rs 146.82 crore has been disbursed so far, the release added.