Union Rural Development Minister Reviews WDC-PMKSY Progress, Urging Accelerated Watershed Development for a 'Drought-Free India
Distilled Policy Brief
- Under the Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY 2.0), 1,220 projects covering 52.93 lakh hectares have been approved with a total cost of ₹12,404 crore, of which the Central share is ₹8,134 crore.
- The program has constructed or rejuvenated 1.24 lakh water harvesting structures, providing protective irrigation to an additional 3.08 lakh hectares, benefiting 28.50 lakh farmers, and generating 2.85 crore man-days of employment.
- As a key step towards a 'Drought-free India', the interventions have enabled double or triple cropping across approximately 1.40 lakh hectares of land and brought 1.45 lakh hectares under afforestation, horticulture, and plantation.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
Key financial outlays, physical targets, and achievements under the Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY 2.0).
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
Analyze the role of watershed management programs in enhancing agricultural productivity, ensuring water security, and mitigating drought vulnerabilities in rainfed regions of India.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY 2.0), consider the following statements: 1. The projects approved under WDC-PMKSY 2.0 are entirely funded by the Central Government with no financial contribution from the states. 2. The watershed interventions have successfully enabled double or triple cropping in areas that previously supported only single cropping. 3. The scope of the program extends beyond water harvesting to include activities such as afforestation, horticulture, and plantation. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- [A] 1 and 2 only
- [B] 2 and 3 only
- [C] 1 and 3 only
- [D] 1, 2 and 3
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect because WDC-PMKSY 2.0 is a cost-sharing scheme; out of the total approved project cost of ₹12,404 crore, the Central share is ₹8,134 crore, meaning the remaining cost is shared by the states. Statement 2 is correct as the interventions have enabled double or triple cropping across approximately 1.40 lakh hectares of land. Statement 3 is correct as the program has brought 1.45 lakh hectares of land under afforestation, horticulture, and plantation.
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.