Role of gram-panchayath and water user cooperative society (WUCS) in utilization of MGNREGA scheme in Malaprabha command area

Irrigation being lifeline of agriculture, its development and meticulous management is the need of hour. The concept of involvement of farmers in management of the irrigation system has been accepted as a policy of the Government of India and has been included in the National Water Policy adopted in 1987. In accordance with the model act eight State Governments, namely, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka; Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Kerala have enacted new acts. Water Users’ Association and local bodies such as municipalities and Gram-Panchayats should particularly be involved in the operation, maintenance and management of water infrastructures/facilities at appropriate levels progressively, with a view to eventually transfer the management of such facilities to the user groups/ local bodies”. In this study MGNREGA scheme used effectively for irrigation canal management. The scheme was utilized MGNREGA fund for the silt removal, cleaning weeds, bush and waste material and obstacle in canals. The Gram-Panchayath members and WUCS jointly worked for the scheme in the study area. Water and Land Management institute has taken up initiation and awareness of MGNREGA Scheme for utilization of fund for cleaning of canals in Malaprabha command area. PIM also plays an major role in the irrigation management. All WUCS join hand for the success of the implementation of scheme. Main objectives of the study are; 1) To assess the physical and financial progress of the scheme, 2) To assess the socio-economic characteristic status of MGNREGA beneficiaries. 3) To document the number of WUCS benefitted by the MGNREGA.To identify the constraints in implementation of MGNREGA scheme. WALMI, Dharwad has taken initiation of giving information and instructions to WUCS for proper utilization of fund. The details were collected from the Dharwad district. Secondary data has been collected from the concerned Department officials and MGNREGA cell in ZP and Department and published sources. The sub canals were silted up and cleaned on an average length of 3-5 kms per WUCS under this scheme. This study has taken to show the success of MGNREGA and WUCS are main pillars of public domain used for the management of canals under irrigation system and to achieve the goal of proper water management and to ensure the water to reach the tail end farmer’s field.