It is easier said than done.
Ample water is
available this year in many reservoirs. Now, the challenge is how best to use
it efficiently & equitably through implementation of Standard Operating
Procedures (SOP) of Water Resources Department (WRD).
SOPs, however,
are generally followed in breach.
That is THE REASON of poor water management & bad water governance. It is likely that the same story may continue
this year also. But any way, what are
those SOPs? And why civil society should insist for their implementation?
SOPs demand simultaneous action on three fronts, namely,
water budgeting, water-demand collection & canal maintenance.
Water budgeting involves preparing draft Preliminary
Irrigation Program (PIP), convening
meeting of Canal Advisory Committee(CAC) to finalise PIP, preparing
Rotation Program(RP) & Canal
Operation Schedule(COS) and issuing public notice to declare what has been
planned & call for water applications. Chief Engineers I/C Water Management should ensure that PIPs are actually prepared ( & preferably
,uploaded on website)& officially sanctioned. Further, Secretary (WRM &
CAD) should see that CAC meetings are held at the earliest. Minister & MoS,
WRD can monitor on line the processes regarding PIP & CAC.
Compilation, scrutiny & sanctioning of water
applications (preferably on line) &
preparation of detailed water distribution program based on actual sanctioned
water applications are the next logical
steps. Sanction of water application depends upon whether the farmer has paid
his water bills. Govt generally allows farmers to pay their water bills in easy
instalments.
Adequate & timely canal maintenance ensures delivery of
water throughout the canal & distribution network as per scheduling.
Considering paucity of funds it would be prudent to involve NGOs in canal
maintenance & tap other sources like CSR, MREGS, MP-MLA funds.
Rabi Irrigation program should commence from 15 Oct. Is WRD ready in all respects? What is the
status of SOPs?
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