The Hindu : WUAs to be permanent bodies

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 09, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

WUAs to be permanent bodies

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD MAY 8. The Water Users Associations (WUAs) will be permanent bodies hereafter with one-third members retiring every two years during the six-year period.

The permanency and continuity are expected to keep the much-needed tab on the funds and properties, and avoid monopolistic tendencies for which presidents in the past have established a name for themselves. The WUAs of major and medium sources will have 12 members, each representing a territorial constituency, and that of the minor sources six.

One-third of members every two years will be selected by draw of lots. This is one of the sweeping changes introduced for the participatory irrigation management system, which has proved its efficacy by saving 140 tmcft of water, covering a gap ayacut of 14 lakh acres so far. In money terms, a net saving of Rs. 4 crores for each tmcft has been effected.

The broadbasing will be such that the total number of WUAs, after the present re-delineation by district Collectors, goes to a high of 14,000, against the present 10,294, says C. V. S. K. Sarma, Irrigation Secretary incharge of WUAs. The maximum area under a major WUA this time will be 1,000-4000 acres, for medium WUA it will be 1,000-2,500 acres and for the minor one "total ayacut'' under the source. The number gets multiplied with the associations being split into two or more depending on this yardstick. Any 100-acre area is eligible to have a WUA under the new rule.

Plans have been drawn up for conducting elections to distribution committees, whose number may remain more or less at 175 as at present. Elections will also be held for the first time to project committees for maintenance of major dams like Nagarjunasagar. The presidents of all "medium'' WUAs will constitute the general body of the project committee. For these committees, a separate clause provides for recall of chairman/vice-chairman following an irregularity if the motion is signed by one-third of members.

To check irregularities resorted to in the past by president, the post of vice-president has been created and both of them are to be chosen by TC members who are directly elected. A two-year term has been fixed for presidents and vice- presidents.

The Government has made it mandatory on the part of presidents to conduct the general body meetings periodically and complete the audit of accounts once a year within the stipulated time.

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