Refusal to states to part with data delayed report: IIM-A

NEW DELHI: A report on irrigation by IIM-Ahmedabad for the Centre got delayed because the states were "not prepared to part with the data and support within the pressing time", the prestigious B-School has said.

In August 2007, the institute was asked to prepare the report on 'Irrigation Potential Created and Irrigation Potential Utilised' within eight months.

However, the time period was extended to August 2008, but got further delayed and was only submitted recently.

In its final report submitted to the Ministry of Water Resources, the Advisor of the team S K Das said, "We suffered two serious drawbacks, which could probably be avoided with better planning and coordination."

Das said the various states and union territories "were not prepared to provide the necessary data and support within the pressing time".

He said the data was not shared "either because they don't have such organised data or because, for some reason, they did not like to part with their data."

"Our wild goose chase came to an end only when we realised that funds and time were running down rapidly ... apparently because of frustration and uncertainty, a lot of research staff left half way, thus adding to our misery," Das said.