Telangana plans to revive Water Users Associations from united Andhra era

Telangana plans to reinstate Water Users Associations, first introduced in erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, to protect water bodies and address farmers’ irrigation needs. Revival is expected to improve water management, create local posts, and strengthen farmer representation in decision-making.

Karimnagar: The State government is planning to revive Water Users Associations, which were in vogue in the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, to extend greater benefits to farmers. The move follows advice from the Farmer Welfare Commission to involve ryots in protecting water bodies through the revival of these associations.

The proposal was discussed at a recent meeting chaired by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, where officials examined the scope for bringing back the bodies.

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Water Users Associations are seen as a platform to address irrigation issues, ensuring farmers receive water when required. Besides improving water management, the revival of WUAs is expected to create hundreds of posts in every district, offering scope for political representation. Congress leaders waiting for nominated posts are likely to find opportunities if the associations are reinstated, prompting the government to actively consider the move.

WUAs were initiated in the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh in 2006 and 10,748 associations were formed two years later. Tanks and ponds with more than 100 acres of cultivable land were brought under their purview. Elections to WUAs were due in 2010 but did not take place due to the separate Telangana agitation and the existing bodies continued through government orders.

After the formation of Telangana, irrigation tanks were developed under the Mission Kakatiya programme, following which the WUAs gradually became defunct.

The associations earlier played a role in protecting water bodies and representing farmers’ issues to officials. The government also used to allocate repair works of water bodies on a nomination basis to WUAs for up to Rs.10 lakh.

Speaking to Telangana Today, farmer leader Manda Rajamallaiah said farmers would benefit if WUAs are revived as they would once again have a formal body to represent their issues. He said officials usually release water as per schedule from irrigation sources and if farmers require additional water beyond the schedule, WUAs would take up the issue with officials to ensure supply.