The census of the minor irrigation schemes in Villupuram district will be taken from November 1. Data will be compiled on all the schemes being implemented on surface water and groundwater sources.
Official sources told The Hindu that the census was aimed at preparing a comprehensive and reliable database in the minor irrigation sector for future planning. This would be the fifth such exercise. The earlier attempts were made in 1986-1987, 1993-1994, 2000-2001 and 2006-2007.
The data collected would be utilised for formulating proposals for the Five-Year Plan. It would also be used by the Central Water Commission and the Union Ministry of Water Resources for framing irrigation policies. The data would be compiled at the village, block and district levels, in coordination with the local bodies. The field workers would spread out to the villages to gather information on lakes and tanks, and open farm wells and borewells.
