This would be in addition to the other measures approved by the Cabinet on 19th November, 2009 under the special package for implementing drought mitigation strategies in Bundelkhand.
The money sanctioned by the Union Cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, is over and above the Rs 7,266 crore special package announced by the Centre for the drought-prone region.
“The additional central assistance will enable the states to address the problem of drinking water better during the summer months,” I&B Minister Ambika Soni told media here.
The package as a whole will enable the people in the region to optimise water resources through rainwater harvesting and proper utilisation of the river systems along with promoting diversified agriculture, she said.
The Union Cabinet also approved a few adjustments in implementation of the drought mitigation strategies, which were requested by the two state governments and NRAA.
Madhya Pradesh government has proposed to provide funds for water-lifting devices and construction of stop-dams in place of the earlier approved components of farm ponds and recharge of dugwells.
It has also proposed to provide additional support for the dairy sector and for construction of Singpur Barrage by using a part of funds from the package.
Gandhi had met the Prime Minister in July 2009 and sought a special package of Rs 8,000 crore for development of the backward Bundelkhand region.
In November 2009, the Centre had announced a special package of Rs 7,266 crore for Bundelkhand which was to be implemented over a period of three years from 2009-10 to 2011-12.