Ministry of Water Resources - CADWM Programme - Status Of Participatory Irrigation Management.

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Status Of Participatory Irrigation Management

11. Importance of PIM under Restructured CADWM Programme

Under Restructured Command Area Development & Water Management Programme more emphasis is being given to participatory approach. Under this programme, payment of central assistance to States is linked with the formation of Water Users’ Associations. Apart from this, farmers will have to contribute a minimum of 10% cost of the works in form of cash / labour in three components namely, construction of field channels, reclamation of water logged areas, anddesilting and renovation of MI tanks.

Under the previous CAD Programme, a management subsidy at the rate of Rs. 275 per ha, to be paid in three years, had been insisted upon initially to encourage the formation and functioning of Farmers’ Associations. It was increased to Rs. 500 per ha as one time functional grant to be shared by Centre, State and farmers at the rate of Rs 225:225:50 respectively. For projects included under the restructured programme, this grant has been enhanced to Rs. 600/- per ha. at the rate of 270:270:60 to be shared by Centre, State and farmers respectively and further to Rs.1000/ha. to be shared in the ratio of 450:450:100 during XI plan. States have to bear similar costs for non – CADA projects.

Apart from normal training programme for field functionaries and farmers, action research for PIM is now proposed to be entrusted to the WALMIs and other State/Central Institutions. It is to ensure that farmers will be encouraged to form Water Users’ Associations and take over the onfarm development works, equitable distribution of water, crop management, issues on revenue collection, to maintain data and financial records. They will also be trained regarding maintenance aspects of the OFD works. Centre will bear 75% of cost of these software items.

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Status Of Participatory Irrigation Management

12. PIM as A Thrust Area/Priority Item

With effect from August 2003 Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) has been identified as one of the thrust areas for the country as a whole and its progress is being monitored by the Prime Minister’s Office.

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Status Of Participatory Irrigation Management

12.1 Issues for Policy Initiatives

a. All states to be emphasized upon the need to enact PIM acts in a definite time frame
b. Strengthening of financial resources of Farmers’ Associations to make them viable – Revenue sharing arrangement to be considered
c. Rationalization of water charges
d. Empowering women for a greater role in Irrigation Management.

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Status Of Participatory Irrigation Management

12.2 Action Taken for Implementing PIM

Ministry of Water resources has written to all the States, which have not yet enacted relevant act to facilitate participation of stakeholders in Irrigation Management, asking them to implement the same. An indicative Roadmap as under has also been suggested for promotion of PIM to take a time bound action in the matter.

Indicative Roadmap:

1) Draft legislation on PIM and its approval by the State Legislature at the earliest, preferably in the next Session of the State Assembly.

2) Based on the PIM Act, prepare necessary Rules and Regulations within two months of the notification of the Act.

3) Organise Statewide orientation/awareness generation camps for functionaries of Irrigation/CAD Departments and farmers. 4) Formation of Water Users’ Associations and entrust them the role and the responsibilities assigned under the Act. 5) Fix a target of covering at least 25% of the area of the major and medium irrigation projects under PIM during the X Plan. 6) Formation of an appropriate committee at the State level that will monitor the progress under PIM and interact with the Central Government.

Copies of the Model Act on PIM and also the PIM Acts of a few States were sent to the States/UTs for reference and guidance.

Milestones:

State Governments are being persuaded since 1985 to promote Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM). In order to facilitate the States in formulation of the roadmap for promotion, enactment and implementation of PIM the following action points and milestones need be considered. Depending upon the status of the progress of implementation of the PIM in the States the action points may be suitably modified.

1. To constitute a Committee within the State to study the provisions of Model Act, PIM Acts of other States, Existing Irrigation Acts of States, Irrigation Water Cost Recovery Structure, and other Regulations of the States.

2. Preparation of Draft PIM Act (if not already done) by the State. In this regard the State may obtain help from WALMIs, NGOs or other State/Central organisations followed by the process of approval.

3. Awareness and motivation of the farmers in PIM activities. WALMIs can play major role in this activity. This activity of imparting awareness and motivating the farmers could be done simultaneously along with the other activities of implementation of PIM.

4. Preparation of draft rules and regulations in connection with identification of jurisdiction, formation, election, role and responsibility of WUAs and Irrigation departments/CADAs (if not already done).

5. The process of identification and notification of jurisdiction of each WUA, Minor/Distributary Committee for each Major, Medium and Minor Projects. This should be immediately followed by holding of elections of WUAs.

6. Necessary steps may be taken to repair the irrigation systems to be transferred to the farmers. In case of CAD projects, such steps are to be taken within the framework of Restructured CADWM Programme.

7. Signing of MoUs between the State Govt. and the WUAs for transfer of responsibility and the irrigation system. This could be done immediately after the necessary completion of repairs and the formation of WUAs.

8. Formation of an appropriate committee at the State level that will monitor the progress under PIM and interact with the Central Government

9. Monitoring and evaluation of the functioning of the system by the state Govt. for at least three years after handing over the system to the WUAs.

State have been pursued from time to time enact relevant Acts to facilitate participation of stakeholders in Irrigation Management, asking them to formulate a roadmap for furthering the implementation of PIM in their States in a time bound manner and keep the Ministry informed of the progress of the same. It is also requested to furnish the latest information on the status of implementation of PIM / formation of Water Users’ Associations in their States.

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Status Of Participatory Irrigation Management

13. Monitoring and Evaluation

Regular monitoring and evaluation of the performance of the WUAs is necessary for development of the PIM programme in the country. The success and failure of the WUAs at one place could provide useful lessons and enable taking up of corrective steps in formation and sustainability of WUAs at other places. The performance has to be justified against the objectives laid down and the financial viability.

States have to constitute a State level committee for monitoring of the implementation of the PIM programme. WALMIs can play an important role in implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the PIM programme. Recently Central Water Commission has been entrusted with coordination and monitoring of implementation of PIM in the States/UTs at the Central level.

MoWR has written to all the States and UTs, which are yet to take action to enact legislation on PIM, asking them to take necessary time bound action for enacting necessary legislation for PIM.

As per the guidelines under the CADWM Programme, State level committees have to be formed for review and monitoring of the CAD projects under the programme. These committees have to have representation from Water Users’ Associations at project level.

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Status Of Participatory Irrigation Management



Annexure-1


Functions of farmers’ organisations at different levels

1. Water Users’ Association

The Water Users’ Association shall perform the following functions namely:

(a) to prepare and implement a warabandi schedule for each irrigation season, consistent with the operational plan, based upon the entitlement, area, soil and cropping pattern as approved by the distributary committee, or as the case may be, the project committee;
(b) to prepare a plan for the maintenance of irrigation system in the area of its operation at the end of each crop season and carry out the maintenance works of both distributary system and minor and field drains in its area of operation with the funds of the association from time to time;
(c) to regulate the use of water among the various pipe outlets under its area of operation according to the warabandi schedule of the system;
(d) to promote economy in the use of water allocated;
(e) to assist the revenue department in the preparation of demand and collection of water rates;
(f) to maintain a register of landholders as published by the revenue department;
(g) to prepare and maintain a register of co-opted members;
(h) to prepare and maintain an inventory of the irrigation system within the area of operation;
(i) to monitor flow of water for irrigation;
(j) to resolve the disputes, if any, between the members and water users in its area of operation;
(k) to raise resources;
(l) to maintain accounts;
(m) to cause annual audit of its accounts;
(n) to assist in the conduct of elections to the managing committee;
(o) to maintain other records as may be prescribed;
(p) to abide by the decisions of the distributory and project committees;
(q) to conduct general body meetings as may be prescribed;
(r) to encourage avenue plantation on canal bunds and tank bunds by leasing such bunds;
(s) to conduct regular water budgeting and also to conduct periodical social audit, as may be prescribed;
(t) to encourage modernization of agriculture in its area of operation; and
(u) to maintain the feeder channels of minor irrigation tanks by the respective water users associations, in the manner prescribed;

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Status Of Participatory Irrigation Management

Annexure-1

2. Distributary Committee:

The distributary committee shall perform the following functions namely:

(a) to prepare an operational plan based on its entitlement, area, soil, cropping pattern at the beginning of each irrigation season, consistent with the operational plan prepared by the project committee;
(b) to prepare a plan for the maintenance of both distributaries and medium drains within its area of operation at the end of each crop seasons and execute the maintenance works with the funds of the committee from time to time.
(c) to regulate the use of water among the various water users associations under its area of operation;
(d) to resolve disputes, if any, between the water users associations in its area of operation;
(e) to maintain a register of water users associations in its area of operation;
(f) maintain an inventory of the irrigation system in the area of its operation, including drains;
(g) to promote economy in the use of water allocated;
(h) to maintain accounts;
(i) to cause annual audit;
(j) to maintain other records as may be prescribed;
(k) to monitor the flow of water for irrigation;
(l) to conduct general body meetings as may be prescribed;
(m) to abide by the decisions of the project committee;
(n) to cause regular water budgeting and also the periodical social audit as may be prescribed;
(o) to assist in the conduct of elections to the managing committee;
(p) to encourage avenue plantations in its area of operation; and
(q) to encourage modernisation of agriculture in its area of operation.

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Status Of Participatory Irrigation Management

Annexure-1

3. Project Committee:

The project committee shall perform the following functions namely:

(a) to approve an operational plan based on its entitlement, area, soil, cropping pattern as prepared by the competent authority in respect of the entire project area at the beginning of each irrigation season;
(b) to approve a plan for the maintenance of irrigation system including the major drains within its area of operation at the end of each crop season and execute the maintenance work with the funds of the committee from time to time;
(c) to maintain a list of the distributory committees and water users’ associations in its area of operation;
(d) to maintain an inventory of the distributary and drainage systems in its area of operation;
(e) to resolve disputes if any, between the distributory committees;
(f) to promote economy in the use of water;
(g) to maintain accounts;
(h) to cause annual audit of its accounts;
(i) to maintain other records as may be prescribed;
(j) to conduct general body meetings as may be prescribed;
(k) to cause regular water budgeting and also the periodical social audit as may be prescribed;
(l) to encourage avenue plantation in its area of operation; and
(m) to encourage modernization of agriculture in its area of operation.

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Status Of Participatory Irrigation Management



Annexure-2

STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF PIM IN SOME STATES

I. Status of implementation of PIM in the States that have responded to the initiative taken by the MoWR as the Priority/Thrust Area item:

Some States have responded to the initiative taken by the MoWR in implementing the Priority / Thrust Area item of the Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM). A brief of the status is given below.

a) Andhra Pradesh: Irrigation and CAD Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh has given the status of implementation of PIM/WUAs in Andhra Pradesh. Salient features of implementation are as follows.

The Andhra Pradesh Farmers’ Management of Irrigation Systems (APFMIS) Act was enacted by the Government of Andhra Pradesh in the year 1997 to promote farmers participation in Irrigation Management.

It was informed that 10800 WUAs are constituted in Major, Medium and Minor irrigation sectors covering an area of 41.69akh ha. WUAs in the Minor irrigation sector are formed to such tanks whose ayacut is more than 100 acres. WUAs have been delineated and elections to the same have been completed.

In order to disseminate technical know-how on Agriculture & Irrigation, Presidents of WUAs and Territorial Constituency members have been imparted training on the provisions of the APFMIS Act, execution of maintenance works, water regulation, maintenance of records, capacity building, on agricultural aspects etc.

Conferences are held regularly, to create awareness among WUAs about their role in PIM, at district/region/State level. These conferences have helped the WUAs to ventilate their problems and get solutions for some of their problems.

Evaluation studies have been conducted at regular intervals and the performance of the Farmers Organisations is being monitored every year.

Performance of the Farmers Organisations in the past five years was studied at various levels, which suggested certain changes in the set up of the WUAs to make them more transparent and accountable to the water users. Amendments to the Act are brought out through Act 7 of 2003 in April 2003.

b) Arunachal Pradesh: The Government of Arunachal Pradesh has informed in November 2006 that their PIM Act is in drafting stage and WUAs to whom the CADWM works have been handed over will come under the purview of the Act after its enactment. So far 39 WUAs covering an area of 9020 ha have been formed in the State.

c) Bihar: Water Resources Department, Government of Bihar informed that that till date 46 WUCs covering an area of 1.478 lakh ha. have been formed and the system has been handed over to these WUCs.

d) Gujarat: The Gujarat Government had enacted the Gujarat Water Users Participatory Irrigation Management Act, 2007. Gujarat has been giving high priority to PIM and has been systematically promoting it by facilitating through Government resolutions from time to time since 1980s. So far,576 number of WUAs covering an area of 96680 ha. A High Level Working Group under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary has been set up in 1994 to consider the policy issues relating to Participatory Irrigation Management and also constituted a Steering Committee for implementation of PIM.

e) Maharashtra: Secretary (CAD), Govt. of Maharashtra has informed the following.

i) The Govt. of Maharashtra initiated the formation of Water Users’ Associations in the year 1990. Further, in the year 2001 Govt. of Maharashtra has made it obligatory to make farmers participation in irrigation management and to hand over irrigation systems to WUAs by the end of year 2002-03. In the year 2005 Maharashtra Government enacted the Maharashtra Management of Irrigation System by Farmers Act, 2005. They have formed 1539 WUAs covering an area of 6.67 lakh ha.

ii) One-day seminars have been organised over the entire State at seven locations to create awareness amongst irrigation beneficiaries with regard to formation of WUAs.

f) Karnataka: Additional Chief Secretary & Development Commissioner, Government of Karnataka has informed that they are taking some positive steps in the direction of implementation of PIM.

Some details of implementation of PIM in Karnataka and formation of Water Users Associations/Societies formed have been furnished. In the Project-wise progress on PIM, it is mentioned that a total of 2515 Water Users’ Cooperative Societies (WUCS) have been registered covering an area of 12.952 lakh ha.. MoUs have been entered into with 1547 WUCS covering an area of 7.15 lakh ha.

Government of Karnataka has amended the Irrigation Rules called the Karnataka Irrigation (Levy of Water Rates) (Amendment) Rules, 2002, revising crop-wise water rates, through a notification in October 2002.

g) Haryana: The Government of Haryana has issued model bye laws for Water Users Associations and in order to provide legal status to WUAs amendment of Haryana Canal and Drainage Act, 1974 has been submitted for approval of the Government.

i) A committee for submission of a proposal for framing Participatory Irrigation Management Act along the lines as enacted by other States and Model Act of MoWR has been constituted in Command Area Development Authority. After the in depth study and discussions the proposal will be submitted by the Administrator, CADA to the Government of Haryana for approval.

ii) State-wise orientation/awareness generation camps for functionaries of irrigation/CAD Department, farmers and NGOs are already being held by the Haryana Irrigation Management Institute, Kurukshetra.

iii) Guidelines for formation of Water Users’ Associations (WUAs) were issued as early as in the year 2000 and more than 2800 WUAs covering an area of 2.00 lakh has. have already been formed in Haryana. Steps are being taken to cover maximum area of various irrigation projects under PIM.

iv) A Core Group on PIM under the Chairmanship of Chief Engineer/Co-ordination already exists in Haryana Irrigation Department to sustain the concept of PIM at watercourse level, to take PIM to higher hydrological levels i.e. minor and distributories and to monitor and evaluate this concept in the field.

The State of Haryana is keen to implement the concept of PIM as per the spirit of the National Water Policy and has taken adequate steps in this direction.

h) Kerala: The Principal Secretary to the Government of Kerala, Water Resources (CAD) Department has informed that the ‘Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation Bill 2003’ has been passed by Kerala Legislative Assembly. The Bill has a general provision for implementation of PIM in Kerala.

Water Resources (CAD) Department has informed that, based on the joint study by CWRDM and CADA on PIM, pilot projects have been taken up in Olathanni Branch Canal of Neyyar Project and Kuthanur Branch Canal of Malampuzha Irrigation Project. These pilot projects are implemented by CWRDM in association with Water Resources Department, CADA and Agriculture Department. Activities of the project are carried out through five different phases i.e. Preparation, Organisation, Rehabilitation, Capacity Building and Turn-over.

Status as per the records is as follows:

Kerala Command Area Development Act, 1986 provides for three-tier Water Users’ Associations i.e. Beneficiary Farmers’ Associations at the outlet levels, Canal Committees and Project Level Committees. So far, 4126 Beneficiary Farmers’ Associations, 99 Canal Committees covering an area of 2.55 lakh ha. and 9 Project Level Committees have been constituted. A High Level Working Group under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary has been set up to consider the policy issues on Participatory Irrigation Management in 1997. A state level conference on Participatory Irrigation Management was held in February, 1996 and during 1996-97 three project level conferences have been held to create awareness on Participatory Irrigation Management at grass root levels.

i) Madhya Pradesh: Director PIM & PM, ICEF Project, WRD, Bhopal, M.P. has sent a note on PIM in Madhya Pradesh. They have also sent a copy of “Madhya Pradesh Sinchai Prabandhan Me Krishako ki Bhagidari Adhiniyam – 1999” including amendments up to June 2003.

It was informed that a total of 1687 Water Users’ Associations have been formed as on March 2004 under the minor, medium and major irrigation projects covering an area of 16.92 lakh ha. 90 Distributary Committees and 76 Project Committees have also been formed. Elections of Farmers Organisations have been conducted.

Training was imparted to officials of WRD, Presidents and competent authorities of WUAs, and field functionaries by WALMI and M.P. Administrative Academy as a part of the capacity building. Workshops and conferences were held at district level, where dialogue and interactions were held with the WUAs Presidents/members, Sub-Engineers concerned etc. Regional level and State level conferences were also held for the Presidents, Members and competent authorities.

j) U.T. of Lakshadweep: Administration of the U.T. of Lakshadweep has informed that there is no river, canal, waterfall, stream etc. in Lakshadweep. The entire cultivable area is densely populated with coconut trees, which is rain fed. The concept of Participatory Irrigation Management is therefore not relevant to Lakshadweep.

k) Rajasthan: Government of Rajasthan has informed the following.

PIM is a prime requirement in the World Bank aided Project namely Rajasthan Water Sector Restructuring Project (RWSRP). Accordingly, formation of WUAs and distributory committees has been completed in 91 Irrigation Schemes under the Project following the procedure laid in the Rajasthan Farmers Participation in Management of Irrigation Systems (RFPMIS) Act 2000 & RFPMIS Rules, 2002. WUAs have been formed in 91 irrigation systems (Major, Medium and Minor) up to February 2004, under the World Bank aided Rajasthan Water Sector Restructuring Project. 506 WUAs, 72 Distributory Committees and 2 Project Committees have been formed. Elections of 506 WUAs, 72 DCs and 2 PCs have been completed. The area covered is 6.197 lakh ha.

Rehabilitation of irrigation systems under the Project is in progress. Rehabilitation work of small channels having discharge less than 10 cusecs is to be carried out by the WUAs and that of other channels is being done by Irrigation Department. The system is proposed to be transferred to WUAs as soon as the rehabilitation work is completed, which is expected within two to three years. With this about 17% of total CCA of the State will come under PIM.

Schemes not included in RWSRP are being identified where PIM can be implemented with minimal of canal rehabilitation works. After identification of such schemes, efforts shall be made to generate awareness in the farmers regarding formation of WUAs citing examples of successful WUAs, which have started functioning. Subsequently, these schemes shall be brought under the ambit of RFPMIS-2000 and more and more command area covered under PIM to achieve the target during the X Five Year Plan.

A two-day workshop was conducted at IMTI Kota in June 2003 for the DC presidents and selected WUAs presidents, and discussions were held on various issues of PIM and efforts were made to solve the problems of DCs and WUAs presidents.

Regular meetings were held by the officials of Irrigation Department with the Farmers Organisations to resolve technical and administrative problems of Farmers Organisations.

Mass awareness and capacity building trainings for members of Managing Committees of WUAs have been held and refresher courses for maintenance of records are in progress.

l) Chandigarh: Chief Engineer, U.T. Chandigarh has informed that the information with regard to major and medium irrigation projects may be considered as NIL. And it was stated that with regard to amendment to irrigation Act for participatory irrigation management, Public Health wing of Engineering Department, UT, Chandigarh is dealing minor irrigation scheme only.

m) Chhattisgarh: State of Chhattisgarh has enacted Chhattisgarh Sinchai Prabandhan Me Krishako ki Bhagidari Adhiniyam – 2006. A total of1324 WUAs covering an area of 12.45 lakh ha. have been formed in the State.

n) Himachal Pradesh: The Government of Himachal Pradesh have reported that draft PIM Bill is under finalization. So far 876 KVS/WUAs covering an area of35.00 have been formed in the State. It is reported that the participation of women in management of WUAs is insignificant at present.

o) Orissa: Orissa has enacted “The Orissa Pani Panchayat Act 2002 & Rules 2003”. Pani Panchayat programme was launched in the State in September 2000 with a view to cover an ayacut of 17.71 lakh hectares up to the end of 2005 in major, medium, minor and lift irrigation projects.

So far, 16196 Pani Panchayat’s/WUAs have been formed and registered covering an ayacut of 15.38 lakh hectares and irrigation management has been transferred over to 8318 PPs/WUAs covering an ayacut of 5.97 lakh hectares.

p) Dadra and Nagar Haveli, UT: Administration of Dadra and Nagar Haveli Union Territory has informed that there are no major or medium irrigation projects in the Union Territory except one Damanganga Reservoir Project which is a common venture of Govt. of Gujaart, Administration of Daman and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. This project was executed by the Govt. of Gujarat and all the minor, sub-minor and distributary canals falling under the U.T have been handed over to the U.T. Administration by the Govt. of Gujarat. All major canals falling in the U.T. are being looked after by the Govt. of Gujarat authority.

However, it is informed by the U.T. Administration that necessary orientation/awareness generation camps for functionaries of Irrigation/Agriculture department and farmers will be organised in due course of time. Required field channels have already been constructed and handed over to respective farmers. Minors, sub-minors and distributaries are managed by the department. Maintenance of the field channels is being done by farmers. The present set up is functioning satisfactorily. And it is also mentioned that the territory being predominantly of Adivasi population, it may not be advisable to interfere with the existing arrangement.

q) Tamil Nadu: Water Resources Organisation of PWD is operating and maintaining irrigation projects catering to about 21.0 lakh hectares of irrigated area spread over 28 districts. With the launching of Water Resources Consolidation Project in 199596 funded by the World Bank, an area of about 7.0 lakh hectares out of 21.0 lakh hectares was rehabilitated and about 1566 Farmers Associations formed under Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act of 1975. Subsequently, to provide necessary legal support for effective functioning of the Farmers Associations, the Government of Tamil Nadu have enacted the “Tamil Nadu Farmers’ Management of Irrigation Systems Act, 2000”. Necessary rules for implementation of the Act were framed and the Act had been brought into force in all 21.0 lakh ha. of area.

However, the Government has decided to implement this Act first in the area of 7.0 lakh ha. rehabilitated under Water Resources Consolidation Project in order to expedite the realisation of increase in agricultural productivity and achievement of effective irrigation water utilisation.

So far 1310 WUAs covering an area of 7.88 lakh ha. have been formed and the system has been handed over to these WUAs after signing MoUs.

r) Nagaland: Government of Nagaland has informed that Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) Act is in drafting stage vide letter no. IRR/FC/CAD-8/2006 dt.Jan, 2008.It is reported that 23 numbers of WUAs have been formed covering an area of 3150 ha. under two CAD projects. The State Govt. has informed that the WUAs already formed will be brought under the perview of the act after its enactment.

s) Uttaranchal: Government of Uttaranchal has informed that their State has taken several steps in furthering the speedy implementation of the programme. A few of them are:

i. A decision has been taken for devolution of rights and duties with respect to the irrigation projects/assets, though in a phased manner, to the Users’ Associations for their further management. A time bound transfer of the completed projects to the User Groups is being followed up.

ii. In the course of formulating new projects, particularly in minor irrigation sector where the projects have less catchment area, major emphasis is given on community owned and run projects, prior formation of User groups and their maximum involvement in implementation.

t) Assam: Irrigation Department, Government of Assam has informed that keeping in line with the National Water Policy, the Irrigation Department has initiated action to the turn over the system. But due to paucity of funds the schemes could not be renovated to proper state before handing over to WUAs.

The Assam Government has passed the Assam Irrigation Water Users Bill 2004. So far 720 WUAs covering an area of 47040 ha. have been formed.

Manipur: Govt of Manipur has in a Gazette notification dt 8th Jan,2008 stated thatWUAs to whom projects under CADWM would be handed over would be brought under the perview of PIM Act after its enactment.

u) Meghalaya: Government of Meghalaya informed that they have constituted a Committee under the chairmanship of the Principal Secretary, Agriculture Department to facilitate decision-making relating to the PIM in the State. Main functions of the Committee are to monitor and review the progress of implementation of PIM, formulate action plan to ensure participation of farmers, to study the manner of empowering the WUAs and to decide water charges, and to make recommendations to the Government of India. It has been informed that 123 FA/WUAs are registered covering an area of 16454 ha in the State under the Meghalaya Society Registration Act XII of 1983. A draft MoU to be signed between the Department and the WUA is under process for obtaining Government’s approval. There is no existing Irrigation Act in the State and hence water rates could not be collected from the beneficiaries of irrigation projects. EE s have been asked to work out probable cost of O&M of irrigation projects so as to arrive at an acceptable water rate.

v) Sikkim: The Government of Sikkim has intimated that formation of WUAs and enactment of PIM is under process.

w) Tripura: Government of Tripura has published guidelines for handing over irrigation schemes to Panchayats for operation, maintenance and collection of water charges for irrigation schemes. Notification in this respect has been issued by the State.

x) Goa: Government of Goa has enacted “The Goa Command Area Development Act 1997 (Goa Act 27 of 1997)” to implement PIM in the State. In the commands of Anjunam and Salauli Irrigation Projects, which are on going, CAD Projects 57 numbers of WUAs covering an area of7010 hectares have been formed.

y) Uttar Pradesh: Uttar Pradesh Area Development Act, 1976 provides for formation of farmers’ associations at the outlet level to be called Chak Sabha. A pilot project “Basarahiya Water Cooperative Society” was attempted in the command of Sharda Sahayak. A High Level Working Group under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary was constituted during 1996 to formulate policy issues and guidelines for the implementation of Participatory Irrigation Management in the State. Subsequently the Uttar Pradesh Government has framed draft UP Participatory Irrigation Management Act which when passed will cover all the WUAs already formed. So far 245 WUAs covering an area of 1.21 lakh ha. have been formed. The State had conducted a state level conference during February, 1996 at Lucknow to give thrust to the programme. Five project level conferences during 1996-97 and two project level conferences during 1997-98 were conducted to create awareness among officials as well as farmers at grass root level.

z) West Bengal: Beneficiary committees have been constituted but do not have any legal back up. 10,000 such committees are working in the State but functional grants are not being given to them.

PUNJAB: The Punjab Govt. has informed that since they feel that a separate PIM Act is not needed action is being initiated to amend the Northern Canal and Drainage actVIII of 1873 to enable smooth functioning of WUAs. So far 957 WUAs covering an area of1.17 lakh hectares have been formed.