Course Content
Crop Production (Unit 6)
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ASRB NET / SRF / Ph.D. Agronomy
Irrigation Legislation

Irrigation legislation refers to laws, rules, and acts framed by the Government to ensure equitable distribution, efficient use, and conservation of water resources for agriculture and other sectors.

The objectives are:

  • Prevent over-exploitation of water resources.
  • Promote equitable distribution among farmers.
  • Protect against waterlogging, salinity, and wastage.
  • Encourage conjunctive use of canal and groundwater.
  • Facilitate participatory irrigation management (PIM).

 

Historical Background

  • Northern India Canal and Drainage Act, 1873 – one of the earliest legislations, dealt with construction, maintenance, and operation of irrigation works.
  • Irrigation Acts in different states (Madras Irrigation Cess Act, Bombay Irrigation Act, Bengal Irrigation Act) – regulated water charges and farmer access.
  • Indian Easements Act, 1882 – recognized customary rights of water use.

 

Important Irrigation Legislations in India

(a) State Irrigation Acts

Since irrigation is a State subject, each state has its own Irrigation Act.

  • Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, UP – follow Warabandi system under irrigation laws for equitable distribution.
  • Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka – irrigation acts regulate tank irrigation and canal distribution.
  • Maharashtra Management of Irrigation Systems by Farmers Act, 2005 – promoted Water Users’ Associations (WUAs).

(b) Groundwater Legislation

  • Model Bill for Regulation of Groundwater (1970, revised 2005, 2011) – provided framework for states to regulate groundwater extraction.
  • Many states (AP, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, UP, Kerala) have groundwater acts for registration of wells, restriction on over-extraction, and recharge promotion.
  • CGWB (Central Ground Water Board) monitors groundwater exploitation and issues NOCs for industries.

(c) Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) Acts

  • Encouraged farmers’ participation in water management.
  • Andhra Pradesh Farmers’ Management of Irrigation Systems Act, 1997 – one of the most successful.
  • WUAs (Water User Associations) formed to manage local irrigation distribution.

 

Water Pricing / Irrigation Charges

  • Legislations empower states to collect water cess or irrigation charges for O&M of canals.
  • Example: Punjab and Haryana irrigation charges are very low (₹50–100/ha), leading to inefficient use.
  • Current policy shift → volumetric pricing for better efficiency.

 

National Level Policies Related to Irrigation

  • National Water Policy (1987, 2002, 2012) – emphasizes water as an economic good, prioritization (drinking > irrigation > industry), efficiency, conjunctive use.
  • Model Bill for Groundwater Regulation (2005, 2011) – framework for state-level acts.
  • River Basin Management Acts (e.g., Cauvery, Krishna Tribunal Awards) – interstate water sharing.
  • Command Area Development Programme (CADP) – aimed at improving irrigation efficiency in canal commands.

 

Issues in Irrigation Legislation

  • Poor enforcement at farmer level.
  • Political interference in water allocation.
  • Lack of farmer awareness.
  • Very low water pricing → no incentive for saving.
  • Fragmented laws across states.

 

Way Forward

  • Strong groundwater regulation (ban new borewells in over-exploited areas).
  • Water metering and volumetric pricing.
  • Strengthening WUAs and PIM.
  • Integration of rainwater, canal, and groundwater laws under a single framework.
  • Promotion of micro-irrigation and linking subsidies with legislation.

 

Summary for Exam

  • Irrigation legislation ensures equity, efficiency, and sustainability.
  • Old acts: Northern India Canal & Drainage Act (1873), Indian Easements Act (1882).
  • Modern acts: State Irrigation Acts, Groundwater Regulation Acts, PIM Acts.
  • National support: National Water Policies (1987, 2002, 2012), Model Bill for Groundwater.
  • Future: focus on water pricing, farmer participation, and integrated management.
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