Parliament Question: Modernisation of Command Area Development and Water Management

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1851 ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025 MODERNISATION OF COMMAND AREA DEVELOPMENT AND WATER MANAGEMENT 1851. SMT. APARAJITA SARANGI SHRI SATISH KUMAR GAUTAM SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU SHRI VIJAY BAGHEL SHRI MAHENDRA SINGH SOLANKY SHRI DAMODAR AGRAWAL SHRI KOTA SRINIVASA POOJARY SHRI CAPTAIN BRIJESH CHOWTA SHRI LUMBARAM CHOUDHARY DR. HEMANT VISHNU SAVARA SMT. MAHIMA KUMARI MEWAR SHRI YOGENDER CHANDOLIA SHRI VISHWESHWAR HEGDE KAGERI DR. BHOLA SINGH SHRI BIBHU PRASAD TARAI DR. MANNA LAL RAWAT SHRI JASWANTSINH SUMANBHAI BHABHOR SHRI ALOK SHARMA SMT. MALA RAJYA LAXMI SHAH SHRI MANOJ TIWARI MS KANGNA RANAUT SMT. SHOBHANABEN MAHENDRASINH BARAIYA SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL DR. HEMANG JOSHI SMT. KAMALJEET SEHRAWAT SHRI NABA CHARAN MAJHI SHRI JANARDAN MISHRA 1SHRI ANURAG SHARMA SHRI KHAGEN MURMU SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB DR. LATA WANKHEDE SHRI KANWAR SINGH TANWAR Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state (a) the number of pilot projects approved under the Modernisation of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM) scheme for 2025–26, State and agroclimatic zone-wise including Amroha district of Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh; (b) the total farmland area (in hectares) planned to be covered under underground piped irrigation through the said scheme; (c) the total funds allocated and released so far under the scheme, year and State-wise especially in Himachal Pradesh and Amroha district of Uttar Pradesh; (d) whether the Government has any data or estimates on the extent to which this scheme is expected to increase farmers’ income in the country including Durg Lok Sabha Constituency of Chhattisgarh and if so, the details thereof; (e) the details of such water management projects in the Palghar district in Maharashtra; (f) the manner in which M-CADWM would help in the development of Madhya Pradesh, especially in Dewas-Shajapur Lok Sabha Constituency; (g) whether any proposals have been received from Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka and Palghar district, Maharashtra for inclusion under the scheme and if so, the details and status thereof; and (h) whether any evaluation has been done regarding the increase in income of farmers in tribal dominated districts like Dahod and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY) (a) The Modernization of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM) scheme has been approved by the Cabinet on 09.04.2025. The State Government Departments are currently in the process of sending proposals under M-CADWM. The inclusion of projects under the scheme will be finalized subject to their viability and availability of State budgetary support. (b) Approximately 75,000 hectares of farmland area is planned to be covered through underground piped irrigation under the pilot projects of the scheme. 2(c) The total outlay of the scheme is ₹1600 crore including Central Outlay of ₹1100 crore for the period upto March 2026. No funds have been released so far under the M-CADWM scheme. No proposals from Himachal Pradesh and from Amroha district of Uttar Pradesh has been received. (d) & (f) No quantified estimates on the increase in farmers’ income under the M-CADWM scheme are available. The scheme aims to provide assured or protective irrigation, promote efficient water use, and encourage participatory governance through Water User Societies (WUS). It is anticipated that approximately 80,000 farmers will benefit directly, and indirect beneficiaries will be around 4 lakh. The Standard Operating Procedures (SoP)-B3 of the scheme (copy placed as annexure) details likely benefit to the farmers from this scheme. (e) Nil. (g) No. (h) No such evaluation has been done. *** 3ANNEXURE ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (d) & (f) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1851 TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 31.07.2025 REGARDING “MODERNISATION OF COMMAND AREA DEVELOPMENT AND WATER MANAGEMENT”. SoPB3 MCAD benefits to the Farmers Ver5.25 A. MCAD will bring benefits at individual level: 1. Enhanced Crop Production: With clubbing of the water sources, PPIN may ensure year- round cultivation, which will increase crop yields and surplus for sale. 2. Diversification of Crops: Farmers can grow different crops, including high-value ones, boosting income diversity. 3. Employment Creation: Setting up and managing PPIN systems will facilities generate local job opportunities. 4. Steadier Income: Stabilized PPIN will ensure consistent crop yields, stabilizing farmers’ earnings. 5. Improved Market Access: Better training and confidence building with marketing facilities will enable farmers to sell their produce at competitive prices, increasing income. 6. Value Addition: Farmers may engage in processing or packaging, adding value to their produce for higher returns. 7. Local Economic Growth: Increased farmer income stimulates spending in local communities, generating more business and employment for associated accessories like mini tractors, drones, Agri robots etc. 8. Energy Saving: With PPIN, the need for putting diesel pump/ electric pump to draw water from canal or GW will cease. The Overall savings in the energy bill of the Farmer. 9. MCAD provides for exposure visit of the Farmers to successful clusters/ areas and continual confidence build up by hand holding for 5 years after the erection of the PPIN system in the cluster. 10. The saturation of Cluster with all the Govt. schemes, or with CSR initiatives will bring additional benefits to the Farmer. 11. Farmer Centric: All grievances of the farmer will be dealt by the Water User Society 4B. MCAD will bring benefits at Community Level with Water Users Society (WUS) 1. MCAD will lead to the sense of ownership and leadership by the farmers through WUS in themselves. With better awareness and empowerment, the WUS will be better equipped to reap the benefits of government welfare schemes and be able to create a new business environment to take up lucrative economic activities along with employment generation in the rural IT sector. 2. Collective Decision-Making: WUS allow farmers to actively participate in the planning, operation, and maintenance of irrigation infrastructure, ensuring that their needs and concerns are addressed. 3. Water Allocation and Distribution: WUS are responsible for the fair allocation and distribution of water among the participating farmers. They establish rules and regulations to ensure equitable access to water resources, considering factors such as crop water requirements, seasonality, and the size of landholdings. 4. Operation and Maintenance: WUS take charge of the operation and maintenance of irrigation infrastructure, such as canals, pipes, and pumping stations. They organize regular maintenance activities, monitor water flow, and address any issues or repairs required, ensuring the efficient functioning of the irrigation system. 5. Conflict Resolution : WUSs act as mediators in resolving conflicts or disputes among water users. They provide a platform for dialogue and negotiation, helping to address disagreements related to water allocation, scheduling, or infrastructure usage. This fosters cooperation and harmony among farmers, reducing conflicts and promoting sustainable water management. 6. Capacity Building: WUS facilitate capacity building among their members by providing training and technical assistance. Farmers receive guidance on water- efficient farming practices, crop selection, irrigation scheduling, and water-saving techniques. This empowers farmers with the knowledge and skills necessary to optimize water use and improve agricultural productivity. 7. Financial Management: WUS manage the financial aspects of the irrigation project, including the collection of water charges or fees from the participating farmers. They ensure transparency and accountability in financial transactions, maintaining records and utilizing funds for operation, maintenance, and future development of the irrigation system. They will be encouraged to link with existing FPO/FPC/PACS. 8. Collaboration with Stake holders: WUS serve as intermediaries between water users and various stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and research institutions. 5They represent the interests of farmers, advocate for their needs, and collaborate with external organizations to access resources, technical expertise, and funding for the development of irrigation projects 9. MCAD provides for one-time matching grant of Rs.50 Lakhs to the WUS to start of the Economic Activities. The Performance Linked Incentives have also been provisioned for WUS. 10. MCAD provides for creating infrastructure for WUS office cum training building which can be a permanent ground for organizing local exhibitions, technical workshops in association with the Agricultural Universities. 11. Under MCAD Automation of PPIN with established technologies like Internet of Things (IoT) to increase Water Governance and to achieve On Farm Water Use Efficiency WUE up to 90%. 12. Under MCAD steps will be taken for social upliftment towards free market regime. WUS will be roped into the project construction from the start, do social monitoring of the Project and ultimately lead to owning the Irrigation Assets through Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT). 13. Under MCAD the Irrigation Departments’ focus will be on quality of water delivery Service. Now the O&M collection will be on Volumetric basis at the inlet to cluster. The Water Fee Collection from the WUS will be easier, corruption free and efficient. 14. MCAD will provide the new paradigm shift in the State Government thinking about source of water as one water approach will link up GW/SW/Reused Water and integrate many departments like Agriculture, Horticulture, CAD, Water Resources at Cluster Level. 15. MCAD may boost in rural economy with demand for other accessories. With WUS as Economic Entities, overall Startup boost for irrigation/Agri sector, local jobs, rural economy booster is expected. 16. Under MCAD WUS can explore in future: private finance through Public Private Partnership (PPP) / Public Private People Partnership (4P) in the cluster. ***** 6