Beneficiary Participation in Irrigation Water Management: The Kerala

advice to such works is given in time and in adequate doses. Proper phasing of
minor civil works may be done, based on the availability of equipment and technical
personnel.
5. The official procedure involved in the formation and working of BFAs is roundabout
and complicated. Simplification of procedures to avoid delays and red-tapism may be
attempted.
6. One important recommendation advanced by several researchers here as well as abroad
is that the mindset of officials should undergo a change in the direction of favouring
decentralisation of administration and functions. The need for a change in mindset is
brought out in this study. But the proper mechanism for achieving this objective is
not spelt out here. The government may strive to inculcate in the minds of officials an
attitude in favour of decentralisation of administrative functions appropriate to the
existing socio-economic conditions.
7. For effectiveness in water distribution, it should be made compulsory on the part of
both engineers and canal operators to stay in the respective areas of their operation.
8. The field staff for water distribution is now the employees of irrigation department,
who are not accountable in any way to BFAs; this situation must change. The BFA
leadership should be assigned some powers in their selection and appointment as
well as given supervisory powers in their everyday functioning.
9. Quality of maintenance of irrigation projects would be high if it is entrusted to farmers.
Transparency in maintenance and active involvement of beneficiaries in meeting the
costs of maintenance is sure to improve quality.
10. Proper legislation empowering BFAs legally must precede the earmarking of sources
of funds to them, such as membership fee, penalties, and levies.
11. In government-owned major projects, irrigation officials, who recognise the desirable
role of farmers’ groups and who would have total commitment to them, may be
identified, offered incentives, and employed in the project site.
12. The scope of participation of BFAs may be confined to maintenance of canals to
begin with; it could be extended to larger areas after their gaining adequate experience.
13. The beneficiaries may be made to bear a part of the cost of maintenance of the
project.
14. Controlling the rich and the powerful from arranging distribution of water in their
favour is necessary. BFAs may be made legally powerful and financially viable, and
saddled with competent office-bearers capable of organising group action and taking
strong positions in confronting vested interests.
85