Irrigation Reforms in Andhra Pradesh CVSK Sarma Secretary Irrigation, GOAP J. Raymond Peter ED, INPIM 5 th March, Water Week The World Bank, Washington DC
Andhra Pradesh Area 0.275 m. Km 2 population (2001) 75.7 millions Density of population 275 / Km 2 Rural Population 72.92% (Agril) Urban population 27.08% GSDP growth rate 6.75%/ 5.20% Per Capita Income Growth 5.70%/ 3.60% Average landholding (IA) 0.88ha Total irrigated area 4.84m.ha Ground water 2.1 m.ha pvt.
Andhra Pradesh Vision Simple, Moral, Accountable, Responsive, Transparent(SMART) Govt. Committed to eradicate within a time frame poverty illiteracy inequality Process of economic liberalization Reforms through Stake holders participation in natural resources management Articulated the Vision 2020 identified 14 growth engines
Irrigation Reforms - Highlights APFMIS ACT The first Legislation of its kind in India. A unique legislation for farmers Seeks to bring about Irrigation Management Transfer. Brings greater accountability in the irrigation department. Competent Authority WUA s - Administrative, functional,financial Autonomy Hydraulic basis, 5 years tenure, recall, elections, detailed rules Conflict resolution Resources of the FO PC DC PC WUA WUA WUA Major Medium Minor 0.33 Irrigation Potential Created 1.2 3.2 8180 WUAs. Sector wise. 1699 413 Major Medium Minor Major Medium Minor
Activities of WUAs Walk-through Surveys for diagnosis of irrigation systems General Body meetings & MC meetings Cropping pattern Water Management & water budgeting Resolving disputes among farmers Joint Azmoish for water tax collection O & M works with collective participation Maintenance of Accounts Financial & Social Auditing Training & motivation
Achievements in PIM Bridging gap ayacut (10.076 lakh ha) Timely supply of water-early transplantation Increase in yield (10%) Works execution at estimated cost by WUAs eliminating contractors -reduction in cost by 20% Resolution of disputes Improved drainage & execution of minor drains Capacity building Administrative reforms Merging irrigation and drainage wings Merging construction, O&M and CADA wings Rationalize staff distribution Closure of mechanical units Direct Contracting procedures NSP
Evaluation Parameters No. of General Body Meetings held Maintenance of Records Conduct of Joint Azmoish Increase in Irrigated Area Water Utilisation Development Works Water Tax Demand-Collection. Development Expenditure Auditing of accounts and General Body approval Training Programmes
Status of General Body Meetings conducted by WUAs Major Projects 84 (6.5%) 231 (17 %) Medium Projects 9 (2.6%) 97 (28.3%) 1019 (76.5 %) 233 (69.1%) State Wide = 1669 Major = 1332 Medium = 337 State Wide 93 (5%) 328 (20 %) 1252 (75 %) No Meetings One Meeting 2 and Above
Maintenance of Registers Major Projects Medium Projects No. of WUAs 1300 1200 1100 1000 94 % 92 % 94 % 83 % 80 % 1258 1227 1253 1110 1062 No. of WUAs 400 300 200 100 82 % 82 % 87 % 74 % 58 % 278 276 294 248 195 900 1 0 1 State Wide AS = Admn. Sanctions TS = Tech. Sanctions No. of WUAs 2000 1500 1000 500 0 92 % 90 % 93 % 81 % 75 % 1536 1503 1547 1358 1257 1 C = Cash B = Bills CHQ = Cheques State Wide = 1669 AS TS C B CHQ Major = 1332 Medium = 337
Joint Azmoish conducted with Revenue Dept. Major Projects Medium Projects 289 (22%) 138 (40%) 201 (60%) 1045 (78 %) State Wide 490 (29%) State Wide = 1669 Major = 1332 Medium = 337 1183 (71%) YES NO
WUAs reported increase or consistency in Ayacut Major Projects Medium Projects 540(40%) 148(44%) 792 (60%) 189 (56%) State Wide 688 (41%) State Wide = 1669 Major = 1332 Medium = 337 981 (59%) YES NO
Development works completed Major Projects Medium Projects No. of WUAs 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 1027 34 57 214 No. of WUAs 200 150 100 50 189 3 46 99 0 77 % 3% 1 4 % 16% 0 56 % 1 % 1 14 % 29 % State Wide 1500 1216 State Wide = 1669 Major = 1332 No. of WUAs 1000 500 0 313 37 103 73 % 2 % 1 6 % 19 % Medium = 337 Above 90% 70-90% 50-70% Below 50%
Amendments to the APFMIS Act WUA s to be made a continuous body with 1/3 members retiring every two years Extending WUAs to all areas including new constructions Minimize monopoly by the Presidents of WUAs Tenure two years from the date of election Indirect election to the President from amongst TC members Increasing the number of TC members to 6 in Minor and 12 in Major Greater clarity in areas hitherto ambiguous Recall powers vested with the competent authority Arising vacancies to be filled up locally from amongst the members Greater clarity of roles for the ID at different levels. Simplification of procedures Elections Filling up of vacancies localized subcommittees
Structural Changes in WUAs WUA Setup Existing New WUA Setup PC Chairman Elects GB GB of PC of PC Elects MC MEMBE RS Max 8+1 Min Presiden t Elect s MC of PC Elect s Vice President DC President Ele cts GB of DC Elects MC MEMBE RS Max 4+1 Min 1+1 President Elects MC of DC Elects Vice President WUA Elect + - President TCs MC of WUA MC MEMBE RS Max 10+1 Min 4+1 President Elects MC of WUA Elects Vice President TC1 TC2 TC3 TC4 TC5 TC6 TC7 TC8 TC9 TC10 4 to 10 TCs TC1 TC2 TC3 TC4 TC5 TC6 TC7 TC8 TC14 Farmers (Land holders) Farmers (Land holders)
Emerging issues Policy and Management Changing practices (incentives) Changing Technology Economic Development Scale Issues (individual, community, region state, national, international) Regulations (Water-quality standards, waste treatment and disposal, water abstraction, water use)
Future phase of reforms Holistic view towards water. Stakeholders driven planning. Greater sensitivity to Environment/Gender/Equity. River basin approach for Interventions. Promoting Greater Water use efficiency & Conservation of water jala Jagruthi Diversification of Agriculture driven by market prices.
Lessons Learnt
Important Signposts of AP Reform June 96 White Paper June 96 March 97 Public Consultations April 97 Tripling of Water charges July 1997 APFMIS Act July 97- elections to WUAs October 97 training to WUAs April June 98 O&M works by WUAs May 98 Irrigation Sector Policy April 99 June 99 O&M works by WUAs April 99 World Bank/APERP Project WUA linkage Dec 99- V International seminar on PIM 1998 - Teleconferences and Videoconferences(1999) 1999 - Vision 2020 1999 - Cabinet subcommittee to review functioning of WUAs 2000 - WUA sadassus for obtaining feed back and remediation 2002 - Changes in Act and Procedures. 2003 next round of elections 2003 - Piloting water service agencies & river basin organizations
Lessons Learnt AP reforms break new ground in India Several states in India have tried to structure similar initiatives on the lines of AP Rajasthan, UP, Goa, Tamilnadu, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan etc. AP has become a role model for Indian States Myth of increasing water charges overcome especially when linked to meaningful outcomes A legal framework gives appropriate direction Political will a dynamic Chief Minister Continuous dialogue with WUAs, Government, Bank Role of the media ID could be an agent of change Reform is certainly not an easy Process!