The Expenditure Finance Committee of Union Finance Ministry appraised and accepted on 27th April 2018, the proposal of Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation to provide Central Assistance for completion of balance works of 83 Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) projects and 8 Major/Medium Irrigation projects of Vidarbha , Marathwada and drought prone areas of rest of Maharashtra. These projects would help in addressing agrarian distress by creation of additional irrigation potential of 3.77 lakh ha. The estimated balance cost of these projects is Rs. 13651.61 Crore. Maharashtra state can avail State Share through NABARD loan. The SMI projects would be completed in two years time and Major/Medium projects would be completed in phases by 2022-23.