POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGY TN

the major cause for poor maintenance of systems. Inadequate funding on maintenance
works coupled with lack of expenditure prioritization has led to rapid deterioration of
surface irrigation. The cost of water for farmers and water users did not reflect the
scarcity value of water.
In July 2003, the government increased irrigation water charges. Previously
water charges were levied at a base rate that varied by crop, season, and soil quality plus
an additional charge equivalent to six times the base rate. But the additional charge was
transferred to the local panchayats. From July 2003, an additional water charge of Rs.
1.50 per hectares has been levied. In addition, the Tamil Nadu Farmers Management
Irrigation System Act empowers the water users associations (WUAs) to collect a fee
ranging between Rs. 250 and Rs. 500 per hectares and use for O&M of the systems.
e. Institutional Aspects
Institutional arrangement also did not adequately address water resource management,
allocation and planning. Farmers’ involvement in the operation and maintenance of
irrigation system has been minimal. However, efforts have been made in recent years to
address many of the policy and institutional issues plaguing the water sector. The state is
now undertaking comprehensive water planning on a river basin basis and has
decentralized water resource management along river basins. The Tamil Nadu Farmers
Management of Irrigation Systems Bill was passed by the State Legislative Assembly in
May 2000. This Bill created a three-tier system management organization, including
WUAs at the outlet and WUAs at the 500 hectares command levels and a joint
management committee (called Farmers’ Council) at the project level. It also allows for
the full or partial transfer of O&M responsibilities to these bodies. Each WUA has
complete responsibility for water distribution and maintenance in the area under its
jurisdiction. The Farmers Council is entrusted to deciding on water allocation and other
issues if any arises (Dorosh and Sur, 2004).
The state also passed the Ground Water Regulation and Management Act. It has
also enacted an important legislation, which requires rainwater harvesting system in all
buildings to recharge the groundwater and arresting sea water intrusion. The program
for rain water harvesting and runoff management has been implemented on watershed
basis. Further, rain water harvesting works such as farm ponds, check dams, percolation
ponds and rejuvenation of failed, unused and abandoned wells have been taken up under
all Soil and Water Conservation Programme.
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