User talk:Nandiwucs

Cooperative Thinking Shri. Bsavaraj Talewad Secretary Shri. Nandi Water Users Co-operative Society At: Mudnal, Tal: Muddebihal Dist: Bijapur

And

Manager ALBC Water Users Co-Operative Societies Co-ordination Committee Muddebihal Mob: 9481574466

Cooperative movements are basically activities involved by non-governmental people. Cooperative movements are founded on the democratic principles “of the people, for the people and by the people”. The objectives of the cooperative movements are, “Every single person is for the entire society’s development and entire society is for single individuals development.” Because of this objective, the cooperative movement should be made a very strong peoples movements, which also helps the economic development of the country.

Today, there is NO field, where co-operative movement has NOT reached. It has virtually reached every segment and sector of society. We can even go to the extent that, co-operative movement has contributed has contributed in every aspect of our day-today life.

We are seeing that, many of the government plans and projects are implemented successfully through co-operative societies. This has enabled the continuous up-liftment of the poorest of the poor, especially scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and the downtrodden. Does it mean that, the co-operative movements are successful in every aspect of their objectives? NO...For the complete success of the co-operative movement, it is essential that, everybody including co-operative, government officials and non-government organisations have to participate and involve themselves dedicatedly.

It is true that, Mahatma Gandhi’s opinion, “Co-operative movement is a big boon to India”. However, it is essential strengthen the co-operative movement from all directions on a war-footing basis. Since, co-operative movement has a major role to play in the development of the India’s economy, there a urgent need for this. Time has come for the people involved in the co-operative movements NOT ONLY look-out for their rights and also for their responsibilities.

Co-operative movement would be successful only when, people voluntarily involve themselves to form societies, bring-in share capital and deposits and successfully manage the co-operatives. Many a times, societies also need governmental support to implement some special projects. Then there should be absolute co-operation, trust, mutual support, dedication and good leadership among co-operatives, government officials and non-government entities.

To address the challenges and the developments of the co-operative societies, there has to be education, training, workshops and symposiums at very high levels. Since the co-operative movements run the democratic principles, there should NOT any interference either from the government or the government officials at any level. Hence there should be a suitable amendment in respective states Co-operative acts. Similarly, there should NOT any political affiliations in co-operative movements. There should be any difference of opinion among office bearers because of their political affiliations. This would harm the societies in particular and intern the people at large.

There should also be studies conducted to look into the challenges faced by the co-operative societies due to the financial aspects. It is very essential to prepare and implement the necessary guidelines to revive such co-operatives. This exercise is very important and essential for the success, growth and development of the co-operative movement.

The co-operative movements need very good leaders and team management. We have to focus more on the development of leadership qualities. Since, co-operatives are self-dependent, they have to focus on the development of their members without depending on the any government or non-government aides.

There should be high level symposiums to look into all these aspects. The deliberations of these symposiums should include exchange of ideas, addressing the challenges, implementation etc., only then, this would provide some solution to the challenges like disturbances, conflicts, hunger, unemployment etc...

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Tlewad Water Managemet FARMERS’ PARTICIPATION IN WATER MANAGEMET OF IRRIGATION PROJECTS Shri. Basavaraj Talewad Secretary Shri. Nandi Water Users Co-operative Society At: Mudnal Tal: Muddebihal Dist: Bijapur

And

Manager ALBC Water Users Co-Operative Societies Co-ordination Committee Muddebihal Mob: 9481574466

India is Agriculture dependent country. About 70% Indians are dependent on agriculture. Due to untimely rains farmers’ have to face many problems and challenges. To overcome these challenges successive governments have implemented many large, medium and small irrigation projects and spent thousands of crores of Rupees on these projects. However, many of these projects are under utilised.

Farmers are NOT even aware of the kind of money spent by the government to provide the irrigation facilities to their lands. There is absolutely no discipline in the water usage. The farmers in the beginning of the canals are over using the water. The farmers at the end of the canal are deprived of their share. Excessive use of water is making the soil to loose its fertility.

In the major irrigation projects, farmers do not stick to their delivery schedule of water release also they do not make use of the available water during the nights. This leads to 40% wastage of water. Also, the lift irrigation method has to be replaced with the drop irrigation method. This would result into much more savings of the water. This surplus water can be utilised for irrigating more lands and crop production increases many folds.

Farmers do not any knowledge or the information about the suitable crops, suitable species or correct farming methods and techniques. The government has to find the solutions for all these challenges faced by the farmers by regularly conducting high level brain storming session along with the participation of farmers, agricultural scientist and department officials. Participation of the farmers is very essential in such workshops.

Participation of farmers in irrigation related issues is not new thing in India. If you turn the pages of the history, even in the British Raj, there are many instances, where in after building of the irrigation projects, the distribution of water and maintenance was handed over to farmers themselves. There are instances; where-in farmers themselves equally distributed the expenses involved in distributing water to their lands. Presently, in the major irrigation projects, there is a huge participation of the farming community. In the irrigated areas, the water distribution and management of water resources is happening with greater involvement and participation of farmers under the auspicious of the co-operative societies.

The Karnataka Irrigation Act has authorises the Water Users Co-operative societies to monitor and collect the water tax from the users. The societies have all the freedom to fix the rates for water usage as per the crop grown by the end user. In the catchment areas, there are Water Users’ Co-operative Societies for every 500 Hectares. Initially, these societies take care of repair and maintenance of the canals. Then, after the agreement with Irrigation Department / Corporation, these canals are handed over to the Irrigation Department / Corporation for water supply. Based on the crops grown by the each farmer and the water required for each crop, the societies have to submit their total water requirement to Irrigation Corporation. The Irrigation Corporation would charge Rs.12/- for every 1000 cubic metre water released. The society has the responsibility of distributing this water as per the request raised by each farmer for their various crops. The societies will not be having any power to charge less than what government charges. However, societies are authorised to charge higher prices as per the prices fixed at the Annual General Meeting of the Society. Out of the Water Tax thus collected, the societies are authorised to retain 20% for their expenses and maintenance. The balance, they can submit to the government or the Irrigation Corporation. In addition, the societies can also retain Rs.40/- per hectare for repair and maintenance of the canals coming under their catchment area. The government offers 2% incentives to the societies, who pay the water tax within the stipulated time.

If the societies collect Rs.120/- per hectare from the farmers, then that society becomes eligible to get the special incentives of Rs.540/- per hectare from the Central Government and Rs.540/- from the State Government. Hence, the total incentive available per hectare is Rs.1080/- which is sanctioned by CADA (Command Area Development Authority). Thus collected total amount would be deposited in DCC Banks in a joint account of Societies’ Secretary and Land Development Officers. The society’s expenses would be covered with the interest earned by this deposit. CADA also pays the Society membership fees of the SC and ST farmers coming under the society. All these resources would help running and operations of the society. It also strengthens the co-operative attitude among the farmers.

For the success of the farmers’ participation in the water distribution and the water management, the office bearers of the Water Users’ Cooperative Societies have the higher responsibility. Societies have been empowered with the authority of the government and its officials. If the societies use this power diligently, then the co-operative movement in Water users association would be a great success in Karnataka.