Consider the following statements:
- 1.The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme was launched during 1996–97 to provide loan assistance to poor farmers.
- 2.The Command Area Development Programme was launched in 1974–75 for the development of water-use efficiency.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (b) 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct. AIBP did begin in 1996-97, but its loans went to State Governments to complete irrigation projects, not to poor farmers. The Command Area Development Programme did start in 1974-75 with the aim of enhancing water-use efficiency.
- ✗ 1. The year 1996-97 is right. Under AIBP, however, the Centre gave additional central assistance by way of loans to the States for early completion of selected large irrigation and multipurpose projects. Individual poor farmers were not the beneficiaries.
- ✓ 2. The Centrally Sponsored CAD Programme was launched in 1974-75. It develops an adequate delivery system of irrigation water up to farmers' fields, with the objective of enhancing water-use efficiency.
Remember · AIBP (1996-97) = central loan assistance to States for completing irrigation projects. CAD Programme (1974-75) = delivering irrigation water up to farmers' fields and better water-use efficiency, bridging the gap between irrigation potential created and utilised.
Sources
- Economic Survey 1999-2000, Ch 8 (Ministry of Finance) ↗ “the Government of India launched Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) in 1996-97, under which the Centre provides additional central assistance by way of loans to the States for early completion of selected large irrigation and multi- purpose projects.”
- Annual Report 2015-16, Ministry of Water Resources (now Jal Shakti) ↗ “The Centrally Sponsored Command Area Development (CAD) Programme was launched in 1974-75 for development of adequate delivery system of irrigation water up to farmers’ field with an objective to enhance water use efficiency”
- PIB, Ministry of Jal Shakti: Work Under CADWM (9 Dec 2021) ↗ “Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM) scheme was started as a centrally sponsored scheme in the year 1974-75 with the objective to bridge the gap between irrigation potential created and utilized.”
Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2015, General Studies Paper I. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 25 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·
