Irrigation: Spending up amid slow coverage growth

The report states that capital expenditure by states needs a closer look, especially, as they will play an increasingly larger role in economic development and overall government spending given their larger share of overall government finances.

* Rs6,75,000 crore Aggregate spend on irrigation by state governments over the last ten years between FY06 and FY15.

* 10.3%: Compounded annual growth in state government’s spend on irrigation between FY06 and FY15

* 1.3% is the compounded annual growth rate in total irrigated area between FY96 and FY11. According to the agriculture census data, there has only been a marginal rise from 37% to 45% in the sown area being irrigated now.

* Rs3,600 crore: Total outlay by the Central government for FY16 Budget estimate under various schemes for irrigation. States are primarily responsible for irrigation as water is a state subject.