Irrigation Panchayats in Madhya Pradesh: A Case Study

Abstract

"In Madhya Pradesh, the formation of Irrigation Panchayats (IPs) is compulsory under the Madhya Pradesh Irrigation Act, modified in 1974. IPs have been functioning for 50-60 years in both major and medium canal irrigation systems, mainly in the rice-growing Chattisgarh region. The size of each IP usually coincides with a village size. As of 1990, in the Mahanadi Command Area, there were 736 IPs, with a total irrigated area of 183,000 hectares (ha). Each IP has a small committee elected once in three years and serves on an average 251 ha."