Aid Not Extended To Gosikhurd Dam Plan In Bhandara Mumbai: In a face-saver for the Maharashtra government, the Centre on Thursday released Rs 270 crore for 10 irrigation projects in the state under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP). But significantly, the Gosikhurd project in Bhandara district near Nagpur—the largest in the state—is not one of them. On Thursday, TOI had reported that the Union finance ministry had again rejected the state government’s plea to release around Rs 450 crore for Gosikhurd following numerous complaints of shoddy work and mismanagement. This was abig setback for the Maharashtra government because chief minister Prithviraj Chavan himself lobbied with the Centre for this crucial project. But there was some consolation for the state on Thursday. Highly placed sources said the Centre finally released funds for medium and major irrigation projects located in western Maharashtra, Konkan and Marathwada. These include Dhom Balakwadi (Rs 24 crore), Arjuna (Rs 13 crore), Lower Dhudhna (Rs 22.65 crore), Upper Kundalika (Rs 12.40 crore), Upper Manar (Rs 17 crore), Krishna Koyna (Rs 77 crore), Tarali (Rs 40 crore), Upper Penganga (Rs 42 crore), Nardave (Rs 7.4 crore) and Aruna (Rs 14 crore). Upper Penganga and Lower Dhudhna are major projects and considered a lifeline for Marathwada region. However, not a single project in Vidarbha has received any central aid so far this year. Official sources said 29 projects in Maharashtra are eligible for aid, totalling Rs 1,100 crore under the AIBP. Till Thursday, money for only 10 projects was released. Sources said they are hopeful the Centre will release more funds in the next few days. The AIBP scheme, which commenced in 1996, provides 25% of the project cost. This central aid is primarily meant for projects stalled for want of funds. Only those projects are considered under the programme, which have the investment clearance of the Planning Commission. Projects which are already receiving assistance from international/ domestic agencies are not eligible for assistance under the programme. Assistance to large projects is given for their phased completion so that benefits could start flowing early with comparatively smaller investments.