Saturday, September 30, 2017

Follow the processes & results will follow.


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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