Kudimaramathu fails to take off

At a time when the North-East monsoon has set over the state at a furious pace, the age-old, traditional ‘Kudimaramathu’ scheme, which the state government has been trying to revive since last March by allocating Rs 100 crore to take up waterbodies maintenance works in 30 districts appears to be a failure.

Farmers across the state say that no official approached them to take up works like desilting small ponds and canals to store rainwater. Officials with the Public Works Department (PWD), the supervising authority, admit the fact that they have not implemented the system so far in any district. 

In an attempt to revive the traditional Kudimaramathu system for encouraging the farmers and locals about storing water by desilting waterbodies on their own, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami announced this scheme in February. 

Accordingly, farmers from their respective villages will undertake repair and maintenance of the waterbodies to store rain water for both drinking water and irrigation purposes. However, representatives from various farmers’ associations blame the government, stating that the ancient system has not properly been implemented in any district and rainwater is being allowed to go waste. 

Ayilai Sivasuriyan, district secretary, Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, Tiruchy district, said that they came to know that the PWD was trying to hand over the project to private players. “We opposed this and we brought this to the district Collector’s notice, after which, the officials informed us that works will be taken up only by the farming community from January 2018,” he said and added that funds for this project are yet to be allotted for this year.  

Similarly, Neelakandan, district secretary, Thamilaga Vivasayigal Sangam, Perambalur district, said that while there are signboards on the bunds of tanks stating, ‘Kudimaramathu works are in progress’, in reality, no works were going on. “Many officials are not aware about this scheme. Rainwater can be stored largely, if the government effectively implemented such a system much earlier. However, the scheme should be implemented in a proper manner at least next year,” he stressed. 

When contacted by DT Next, M Bhakthavachalam, Engineering-In-Chief (Irrigation), denied the allegations that the PWD handed over such project to the private contractors. 

“The government is keen to improve water management through local communities themselves by taking up water-body improvement works. We have also asked farmers to form committees and register with concerned area PWD engineers,” he said and added that the Kudimaramathu works would effectively be undertaken by farming communities from January 2018 onwards, after the end of the monsoon season.

Chief Minister announces revival of Kudimaramathu system in February, 2017.

A total of 1,519 works to be undertaken in 30 districts across the State.

Rs 100 crore allotted for restoration of waterbodies. 

Rs 300 crore will be allotted for such works in 2017-18 fiscal year.

District’s share will vary in line with the number of water tanks.

Kudimaramathu translates as maintenance and repair of waterbodies by the people.

An ancient practice, it lost its relevance during the British Raj.

Farmers association contributes 10 per cent of cost. 

Local farmers identify breaches and other problems if any.

Technical supervision and guidance from PWD engineers