The Telangana government will shortly write to the Centre seeking Income Tax exemption to all donations for its ‘Mission Kakatiya’ to restore minor irrigation tanks.
The government will request the Centre to give exemption to donors under Section 80C of the Income-Tax Act that allows certain investments and expenditure to be tax free up to a limit of Rs 1.5 lakh per annum. The amount will be deductible from the income of the donors.
Sources said the government also proposed to open a separate head of account in its financial statements to keep a track on transactions related to the mission. It was decided to invite donations for the programme from Non-Resident Indians who had connections with Telangana. The names of individuals who donated up to Rs. 1 lakh would be displayed on the website of the mission. Plaques will be put up at the lakes displaying names of donors who contributed up to Rs. 10 lakh.
If they meet the entire cost of restoration of tanks, they will be given the choice to propose the names of their parents or whoever they want on the plaques.
Meanwhile, the government on Wednesday issued orders giving administrative approval for release of Rs. 67 crore to take up restoration of 201 minor irrigation tanks in six districts as part of ‘Mission Kakatiya’.
The mission aims at effectively utilising 265 tmc ft of water allocated to minor irrigation sources under Godavari and Krishna basins.
The programme envisages desilting, repair and constructing weirs for about 47,000 tanks at a cost of Rs. 25,000 crore to be spent over five years.
As many as 9,543 tanks were proposed to be taken up each year.
Orders issued
The orders issued on Wednesday said 12 tanks in Karimnagar, 25 in Adilabad, 22 in Warangal, 34 in Nizamabad, 64 in Medak and 44 in Ranga Reddy districts were proposed to be restored. This would entail an expenditure of Rs. 67 crore. The total irrigable area of these tanks was 20,350 acres. Surprisingly, the highest area, 8,633 acres is in Ranga Reddy district which has witnessed speedy urbanisation over the years. The amount allotted to this district was also the highest as Rs. 26.44 crore was proposed to be spent.
