PARTICIPATORY MODE:A PANACEA TO WATER MANAGEMENT IN COMMAND AREA By D.P.Pande & G.N.Singh Agricultural Finance Corporation Ltd., Lucknow

Our Focus of Discussion The Philosophy of Development Peoples Role in Development Group Dynamics: as accelerator for it Our Experience of Groups in Various Schemes P.I.M.- need, provision, inihibition, experience and suggestions to combat them

The Philosophy of Development Development in essence is triangular in concept Organisation Administration Programme Coordination of these three vertices is must

People’s Role in development Development is for the people; Peoples’ participation inevitable since inception Top down approach has not delivered the desired results Bottom up approach being adopted - a paradigm shift Attempt to sensitize the administration to fulfil peoples’ aspiration is on

Group Dynamics An accelerator for Development Persons coming together to pursue a common goal is termed as group Group is an effective way of pursuing common goal Group dynamics is visible even in other animals. We watch every day activities of ants and bees

Various Committees recommended people participation by way of group activities in land and water care activities in rainfed/irrigated ecosystem The 73 rd amendment of constitution provides much needed fillip Now PRIs are able to materialise DIM

AFC’s experience in monitoring group activities The various schemes monitored includes: World Bank funded DASP,Swa-shakti, UPSLRP and EU funded ALRP to quote a few; The laurels bestowed to UPBSN for World Bank aided UPSLRP participatory approach is acclaimed world over The participatory mode innovated by UPBSN at pre- reclamation, reclamation & crop production and post reclamation management is emulated by world over; Organisations of beneficiaries have mutually solved most of the problems and even made the members aware of their rights

Need for Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) in Command Area Development Programme IFPRI stresses on the need for PIM along with measures to enhance the pace of progress in India Judicious and timely availability of water is first step in making the programme successful. Wastage of water is (in form of leakages) also to be stopped. Involvement of beneficiaries is important in ensuring efficient operation and maintenance of canal.

Why Provision of P.I.M. UP State Water Policy 1999 aims at judicious use of irrigation water management through participatory irrigation management (PIM) at irrigation system, which is enforced w.e.f. 3 June 1999

Provisions of PIM Act The act has provisions which includes: Name of society, Area of operation, Definition, Aims, Members, Directors, Meetings of general Body, Board of Directors, Compliances of proceedings of the meetings, Managements, Rights and duties of Society, The Chairman, Secretary, Accounting, Amendments/Revision as well as generalities The Act became effective w.e.f. September 4, 2003 by government order The societies to be registered under societies registration act All the societies ought to have been registered by Oct. 31, 2003

Aims of WUS at minor level To obtain water and ensure its equitable distribution societies command’ Maintenance of irrigation net work of the minor Micro-planning for technology to be adopted for enhancing productivity in the command of the minor To arrange resources for concurrent expenses of the society To obtain land from government for channels, tanks, drains, tube well with a view to ensure required irrigation in the command To have information about availability of water from the department, prepare operation plan for the minor and its subsequent implementation, monitoring and evaluation in concerned command

To stop wastage of water and ensure its judicious utilisation Arrangement for drainage in concerned command Arrangement of inputs for enhancing agricultural production during pre and post irrigation as well as facilitating necessary services like education and training, extension as well as appropriate marketing of surplus produces, Other activities which are needed to fulfil the above objectives

Financing Pattern Cost of Organising P.I.M. – Rs. 600/-per ha which includes: Grant in aid- Rs. 540/- per ha (on 50:50 matching basis by State Govt. & GOI) Farmers’ Contribution- Rs. 60/-per ha

Field Experiences of functioning of PIM in Command Area The Agricultural Finance Corporation Ltd. has been involved in assessing the working of PIM in course of undertaking Evaluation of Saryu, Belan, Tons and Baghla canal systems in Ramganga and Sharda Sahayak Canal Commands; In a recently evaluation of Tons canal system in Allahabad it was found that hardly 12 societies were found to be registered against the 47 societies functioning in the area.

In other projects namely; WB funded DASP and Swa-shakti such it was found that organisations of beneficiaries have mutually solved most of their problems and even made the members aware about their rights.

The question raised in media about PIM System Defect Irregular supply of irrigation water Financial difficulties Lack of technical knowledge Lack of competent leader ship amongst farmers Economic, ethnic and educational constraints Confrontation among Water Users Associations/Panchayat and large irrigation projects

Suggestions for Improvements System defect be rectified and thus water supply be regulated Adequate financial provisions be made Skill up-gradation through capacity building by way of regular training Educational level be increased, ethnic problem be resolved through group approach Confrontation between all institutions could be solved if PIM Act is followed in letter & sprit