Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM)

1. Implementation
   
   
   • NDDB and Government of Gujarat Supported North Gujarat Project of Dharoi, Guhai & Mazam
   • Registration of Guhai and Mazam Irrigation project federations
   • Sardar Sarovar Project – Vehlal
     
     
2. Support to Other State Governments
   
   
   • Collaboration with MP Government for support to PIM in state (6th April, 2006)
   • Training of officers, NGOs and WUA presidents from AP (17-21 April 2006)
   • Meeting with Commissioner CADA, AP (27th September 2006)
     
     
3. Policy Influencing at State and National Level
   
   (A) National Level
   
   
   • Meeting of National Support Group on PIM (27th April 2006)
   • Presentation of a Paper for introducing PIM in the XI Five Year plan (26th May 2006)
   
   (B) State Level
   
   
• Meeting of the High Level Working Group on PIM
• Steering Committee on Water Development for XIth Five Year Plan of Gujarat
  
  

1. Implementation
   
   • Meghraj : Sanction of NABARD Indo-German Watershed Development Project
   • Dhari : Sanction of NABARD loan for watershed activities
     
     
2. Policy Influencing at State and National Level
   
   (A) National Level
   • Meeting of National Support Group on PIM (27th April 2006)
   • Presentation of a Paper for introducing PIM in the XI Five Year plan (26th May 2006)
   (B) State Level
   • Meeting with Commissioner Rural Development (13th October 2006)
     

• Impact Assessment of Basic Training Course on Watershed
• Learning cum Exposure programme for NAANDI Foundation (8th - 12th May 2006)
• Support to other NGOs
  

• Campaign on National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
• Radio Programme on Agriculture Productivity Enhancement

• National Study on Impact of PIM on Livelihood Augmentation

• Paper presentation in the National Conference organized by WASMO, Gandhinagar

• NGO Accreditation (April 22, 2006)
• Development and Innovation Fund
• Gram Vikas and Gram Sangathan Paritoshik

Implementation

NDDB and Government of Gujarat Supported North Gujarat Project of Dharoi, Guhai & Mazam

DSC, Government of Gujarat and NDDB are working together for developing three selected projects – Dharoi, Guhai and Mazam as model PIM demonstration projects. The PIM project consists of two components viz., canal rehabilitation and software support to Farmers Organizations (FOs). The estimated budget outlay for the project is Rs. 12.93 crores including Rs. 10.34 crores for restoration works (80% by Government and 20% by the farmers) and Rs. 2.59 crores for software activities (80% by NDDB 20% by DSC). It is envisaged that by 2008, 216 ICs and 7 branch/ distributary canal Federation will be formed covering  entire command area of these three irrigation projects. The progress of the project is presented below:

As a part of NDDB project, DSC conducted 76 training programmes and workshops for the WUAS during the period April 2005- October’06. The details of programmes conducted are given below:

The Training programmes were on:

• Motivation training for formation of Irrigation Co-operatives.
• Water distribution.
• Account and record keeping,
• Technical Training  Top
  
  

Registration of Guhai and Mazam Irrigation project federations

Fifteen ICs of Guhai and eight ICs of Mazam irrigation project have formed project level federations and had applied for its registration before the Cooperative Department. After  continuous follow up  by DSC team and the federation leaders, the cooperative department has registered these federations under the Gujarat Co-operative Society Act, 1961. These are the first federations under PIM to be recognised by the Cooperative Department in Gujarat. Top

Sardar Sarovar Project – Vehlal

Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL) had invited DSC to take up PIM activities in 12 villages covering 5000 hectares and 3202 farmers. Till date the project has  covered 3423 hectares under PIM having 2554 farmers as members. It is for the first time in the state that the Irrigation Cooperatives in SSNNL have got into construction activities. Out of the 162 minors, construction work has been completed in four and 33 others will be constructed by March 2007.  Though the project is in its last year there are many procedural issues that are yet to be resolved. Previously also the Emeritus Chairman had made several presentations to the Chairman and MD, Shri P.K Laheri. At his instance, the ED had a meeting with Shri S.J Desai, Director, CADA for SSNNL PIM project (28th September 2006) to sort out the following issues:

• Timely repairs of minors
• Waiving of the 5% deposit of the estimate which is to be made by the IC for each installment
• Revision of the Schedule of rates
• Simplification of government orders in SSNNL
•  Extension of the time period for completion

Mr. S. J. Desai has assured that he would look into the issues raised by DSC. Thereafter there have been two meetings with the senior officers from SSNNL to further work on these issues. DSC is hoping that the policy and procedural issues regarding construction of sub minors by ICs will be sorted out and the construction work will gain momentum. Looking at the present progress, DSC would require an extension of about a year and a half for completing the project. Top

Support to Other State Governments

Collaboration with MP Government for support to PIM in state (6th April, 2006)

The Emeritus Chairman, DSC Shri Anilbhai had visited MP on an invitation from Shri Arvind Joshi, Principle Secretary, Water Resource Department-MP. During this visit he met a team of NGOs, Chief Engineers, Project Officers and PIM experts working in ICEF supported PIM projects in different parts of the state. Shri Arvind Joshi requested DSC to support MP PIM for;

1. Capacity building of NGOs working in ICEF project so that they can promote self reliant WUAs what DSC has been able to promoted in Gujarat.
2. Monitoring and evaluation of WUAs of pilot projects
3. Developing package of incentives for farmers in MP that can be tried out on pilot projects.

DSC has sent a proposal to Mr. Joshi for capacity building of NGOs and helping MP Govt. to develop appropriate packages of incentives for MP PIM similar to what it has done in Gujarat in collaboration with GOG. Depending on the response from the MP Irrigation Department, DSC will develop a plan for future support. Top

Training of officers, NGOs and WUA presidents from AP (17-21 April 2006)

As per action plan of collaboration between DSC and Water Resource Department-AP, DSC organized a 5-day PIM training cum exposure programme for 26 participants of AP. The training programme was designed on the basis of training need assessment done by the team of DSC that had visited AP. During the three day class room sessions and a day’s field visit each to Dharoi and Guhai, the participants learnt about the Gujarat model of PIM, Govt. provisions, roles and responsibilities of NGOs, Farmer's Organisations, Irrigation Department and DSC’s approach of empowering community for taking up irrigation management responsibilities. Top

Meeting with Commissioner CADA, AP (27th September 2006)

ED, DSC met Mr. S. Srinivas, Commissioner CADA, AP and discussed the following points:

• Adoption of the Gujarat pattern  of incentives to farmer’s organisations in AP: It was observed that there seem to a positive political will in this area and therefore this was likely to be approved in due course. If this is done, then it will be a great boost for the WUAs and encourage them to collect water service charge in AP. They will also be allowed to charge more than the government rate. The ID is also thinking to raise the rebate from present level of 45% to 75%. Both the incentives will be carried out across all projects in AP.
• The AP, ID has developed very good self-assessment systems for the WUAs adopted by the participatory monitoring of watershed projects in APRLP, the ID has identified 15 critical indicators to be rated by the WUAs every quarter. On a pilot basis this could be introduced in the three North Gujarat projects where DSC is working. Top
  
  

(A)       National Level

Meeting of National Support Group on PIM (27th April 2006)

Under the AKF funded SCALE (Sustainable Community based Approaches to Livelihood Enhancement) project, the project partners were to set up a Task Force on one of the issues on which the organisation had the expertise.  The DSC decided to have a Task Force on PIM with representation from academic / research institutions, practitioners, technical experts and SCALE partners. The members of the task force, in its second meeting, unanimously approved DSC’s proposal to reconstitute the Taskforce in to a ‘National Support Group’ (NSG) on PIM. The NSG, as decided by the members, would work outside the government to support the spread of PIM in the country. It was also decided that, to start with, the NSG will focus on six western and central Indian states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, MP, AP and Karnataka that have similar agro-climatic conditions.
The second meeting of National Support Group (NSG) was held on 27th April’06 at Pune. The twin objectives for the National Support Group to meet at Pune were 1) stock taking of the activities done under the aegis of NSG since the last meeting on 5th April’05 and charting the future course of action 2) meeting the Maharashtra Irrigation Department and WALMI officials for discussing the Maharashtra Management of Irrigation Systems by Farmers Act, 2005 (MMISF Act, 2005) and its Rules. Members also discussed in detail the follow up activities on the outcomes of the Regional Workshop organized in January 2006. 
The meeting with the officers from the Irrigation Department, Maharashtra was the first formal meeting of National Support Group (NSG) with an Irrigation department (ID) of any state to suggest the changes if required in the state’s PIM Act and Rules. During the meeting the Rules of Maharashtra Management of Irrigation Systems by Farmers Act, 2005 (MMISF Act, 2005) was presented and reviewed by the NSG members. Some of the other issues that were raised by the members of the NSG were related to independent monitoring and evaluation, training and support activities, introduction of PIM Plus and grievance redressal mechanism. Top

Presentation of a Paper for introducing PIM in the XI Five Year plan (26th May 2006)

Anilbhai, Chairman Emeritus, DSC in the capacity of a member of the working group on Water Resources for the Eleventh Five Year Plan, presented a paper during the meeting that was held on 26th May 2006. The paper highlighted the need for scrapping of Command Area Development for Water Management (CADWM) and introduction of PIM as a central scheme with essential features in terms of the principles embodied in the Bopal Declarations. Shri J. Hari Narayan, Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India wrote a letter to Anilbhai on 19th May 2006 asking his assistance for facilitating the consultations and evolving an approach for revamping of CADWM for consideration of the Government. In reply Shri Anilbhai said that there is a need for clean sweep by replacing CADWM by a new scheme of PIM with right principles and appropriate components. He sent to him a framework of a central scheme of PIM, largely incorporating principles in Bopal Declaration, which is being widely circulated to elicit comments and suggestions. Top

(B) State Level

Meeting of the High Level Working Group on PIM

A meeting of High Level Working Group that has not met since 1999, had been called on 20th June 2006 by the Chief Secretary, Government of Gujarat, wherein all the pending issues pertaining to PIM were discussed. As a follow up of major policy decisions taken up in this meeting, DSC put up four proposals to the Chief Engineer and in charge PIM for taking up appropriate action. The proposals were related to:

• Rebate to federations on water charges
• Farmers’ contribution towards rehabilitation of branch / project federations
• Appointing commissioner for PIM for initiating PIM Act and a Advisory Committee comprising NGOs, FOs, Govt. officers and academicians
• Separating SSNNL from the implementing PIM Act.

These policy proposals are being pursued by DSC with Secretary, Irrigation and Finance Department. On 16th September,  the Emeritus Chairman and PO PIM , DSC met the Finance Secretary Govt. of Gujarat, Mr. Tapan Ray for discussing DSC`s proposal for fixing water charge rebate for various level FOs in PIM. The Secretary gave consent to pursue the matter with PS FM and for taking decision very soon. DSC has already sent the proposal for this scheme. Such orders from the government regarding rebate to federations in PIM will benefit three federations promoted by DSC in Guhai, Mazum and Dharoi. It is expected that the government will come out with orders regarding the above issues by end of December 2006. Top

Steering Committee on Water Development for XIth Five Year Plan of Gujarat

Perhaps for the first time in the state, a NGO leader such as Shri Anilbhai, Chairman Emeritus of DSC was appointed as the Chairman of the Steering Committee on Water Development for XIth Five Year Plan of Gujarat. The Steering Committee constituted three sub-groups – 1. Major, Medium Irrigation Projects, Command Area Development and Flood Control, 2. Minor Irrigation, Ground Water, Salinity Control.  3. Drinking Water Supply.

The members made some valuable suggestions for making the water sector in the XIth  plan more focused in dealing with augmenting water supply in scarcity areas and in adopting effective measures for conserving use of water through appropriate policies and devices.

The Chairman of the Steering Committee had several rounds of discussion with the Secretary Water Resources  and related officers of Sub-Groups to sort out the issue of sustainability of the programmes so far undertaken and proposed to be taken up during XI Plan,  particularly in  small works under minor irrigation and drinking water supply at local level. Some of the Special features, may be unique in the country, of the water sector of Gujarat in the XI Plan are:

• Involvement of the stakeholders,
• Role of Facilitating Agency: 
• High Priority to Ground Water Recharge measures: 

DSC’s PIM projects in North Gujarat feature in Chief Minister’s Chintan Shibir.
A two days reflection conference was held  on 16th &17th November 2006 under the leadership of the Chief Minister. In this meeting Ministers and senior bureaucrats such as the Secretaries and Additional Chief Secretaries of all departments participate in this meeting to review  the work done  and also to plan for the future.  This year as a part of the thrust areas of the State, PIM and particularly the experience of Dharoi will be take up for discussion. Along with senior officers, the Secretary Irrigation visited DSC’s Rangpur Irrigation Cooperative in Dharoi command area. The Emeritus Chairman will be making a presentation of DSC’s experience and also how it can be further scaled up in the state.  This will be followed by discussion among participants.  It is perhaps for the first time  an initiative taken by an NGO features in such an important meeting of the government. Top

Implementation

Meghraj

Meghraj unit of DSC is implementing four IWDP watershed projects in this area. Some of the activities, apart from community mobilization and trainings are contour bunding (earth and stone), nalla plugs, and construction of percolation tanks, farm outlets, gully plugs, check dam, plantations and fodder development. In three villages Jetropha plantation has also been completed. This is the last year of implementation of the watershed projects which is expected to be completed by January 2007.
The unit has also started watershed plus activities under which thirty farmers have taken up experimental sowing of Gujarat 3 Maize variety. In another 4 acres, farmers had taken up cultivation of sweet corn and tried to link up with a private dealer in Ahmedabad.  However due to excess rainfall this year, (Highest in last 30 years) much success could not be achieved in terms of expected yield. The organization plans to continue this experiment may be with a different variety of sweet corn in the next year too with more farmers.
Sanction of NABARD Indo-German Watershed Development Project
DSC had submitted a proposal to NABARD to carry out watershed development activities in three villages Gaywachharda, Dhandhia and Kunol.  A team from NABARD, Dr. P K Gosh and Dr. S S Rao, a consultant geohydrologist visited the project area to assess the feasibility of proposal.

DSC has now been intimated that the proposal has been sanctioned by NABARD under the Indo German Watershed Development Programme (IGWDP) and has been asked to start the capacity building phase of the project. The project in the three villages covers an area of 1723 hectares and the project cost for the five year period will be around Rs.1.2 crores, of which 75% will be project cost and 25% as the management cost. The first year of the project has to focus on capacity building and shramdaan. Top

Dhari

DSC has through its own funds promoted 5 demonstrations of a new variety of wheat GW322 in Dhari. Initial field trials show that there is an increase of about 50% in the yield per hectare as compared to the popular variety LOK 1. This year it has spread to about 50 farmers. Though there was a demand from other farmers for this variety, they could not fulfill the same due to lack of availability from the market. The members of the Producers Company also visited BAIF  to get an idea of the Vermi-wash bio-pesticide adopted by their farmers. This has also been introduced with three farmers as demonstration.

As per the suggestion of the auditor, the Producers Company has starting computerizing its accounts.  They have also interviewed and recruited a Secretary/CEO for the Company.  He is a graduate in Commerce and belongs to Dhari itself. From April 2006- Sept 2006, the Company had procured seeds and pesticides worth Rs 1.26 lakhs and the sales were to the tune of Rs 77,000.

On behalf of the Dhari Krushak Vikas Producer Company, DSC prepared a proposal for their start up fund of Rs. 1.00 (one lakh) for agriculture inputs business and agricultural development activities. The proposal was sent to India Gramin Services (IGS) of BASIX group under LAMP fund.. Based on the Producer Company’s proposal, IGS had sent an application form for availing of the fund and the same has been sent to the IGS for approval. Mr. Love Kashyap from LAMP fund committee visited to the Producer Company twice for appraisal of the proposed fund in October and November. and had meetings with the Directors of the Producer Company and DSC Staff.   The Company has also applied for a short term loan of Rs 2.0 lakhs for procuring seeds and pesticides to meet the likely demand during next Kharif season.

The meeting of the LAMP Fund committee will be held approximately in Month of November for considering the above proposals.
Sanction of NABARD loan for watershed activities
Through the continuous efforts of the Emeritus Chairman for the last 2 years, NABARD finally sanctioned a loan of Rs.10 lakhs to the farmers of 4 villages in Dhari  for land leveling. The funds will be routed through DSC to the Producers Company which  will then pass it  to the WA and then to the farmers.  NABARD will be charging 6.5% to DSC which will be ultimately reach the farmer at 9%. DSC signed the formal loan agreement with NABARD (August 2006) for providing credit to farmers, through the Dhari Krushak Vikas Producer Company. The Producer Company has already generated a demand of Rs 2.2 lakhs from eight farmers. They will start leveling from Dec 2006 onwards. DSC will accordingly apply to NABARD for timely release of the loan. Top

Policy Influencing at State and National Level

(A)       National Level

Meeting at the Planning Commission for restructuring of CAPART (25th May 2006) 

The Planning Commission had called a meeting to discuss the draft report that they had circulated for “Reforming CAPART/NGO-GO Interface”. Dr Syeda Hameed, Shri B.N.Yugandhar, Dr Manjulika Gautam, from the Planning Commission, Dr Mihir Shah from Samaj Pragati Sahyog and ED, DSC were present in this meeting. The group recommended that: 
• The mandate of CAPART should be that of promoting innovations in the voluntary sector
• Search Committee to be formed for selecting the Director General who could be a development professional from the academia, voluntary sector or the bureaucracy. S/he should be appointed for tenure of three years with a clear MoU that spells out the outcomes.
• Role of the SVOs was re-emphasized and DSC’s suggestion that it could be based on the KVK model was considered.
• Need for more rigorous selection process for NGOs. Accreditation of NGOs by a third party as recommended in the recent Sajjata Sangh Workshop could be thought off.
• Need to have clearly defined procedures. CAPART should be under the purview of the “Right to Information Act”. Similarly, the present Monitoring and Evaluation procedures also needed to be changed. 

Based on the above recommendations, Planning Commission will be submitting a report to the Ministry of Rural Development for appropriate action.

Working Group on Rainfed areas for XIth Five Year Plan

As member of the Working Group on rain fed areas of the XI the Five Year Plan , DSC & Dr. Kanchan Chopra were put in Sub Group II to look at strategies for integration of tree crops animal husbandry and similar activities for rain fed areas development,

The meeting of the Group headed by Dr. Y K Alagh was held on 23rdSept in which Shri B N Yugandhar, Secretary Rural Development, Mrs. Renuka Viswanathan and other members  were also present. During the Sub Group- II’s presentation made by Dr. Chopra, it was felt that the Group could be further strengthened by officers from forest dept., BAIF and SPWD. It was also felt that DSC could share its experience on Producers company, weather insurance and drinking water.

ED, DSC with the help of concerned programme officers submitted a set of recommendations related to 1) inclusion of drinking water in watershed programmes 2) role of producers’ company in livelihood enhancement 3) case study of rainfall insurance as a means of mitigating risks in rainfed farming systems  4) analysis of the  national watershed programme and JFM vis a vis the Bopal Declarations. Dr. Chopra would be preparing the draft report of the group. This would be thereafter finalized and sent to the Planning Commission. Top

B    State Level

Meeting with Commissioner Rural Development (13th October 2006)

The DSC and Sajjata Sangh members met Shri Vipul Mitra, Commissioner, Rural Development to discuss pending issues related to policies and procedures in watershed management. Some of the important points discussed were – need for accreditation of NGOs in the state, regular fund release to PIAs, need to include other experienced NGOs besides the Lead NGO for capacity building of village functionaries in the Hariyali watershed programme and the need for conducting  a  process study similar to that conducted by WASSAN.

Mr Mitra felt that the workshop on Attitude, Behaviour Change (ABC) is increasingly becoming crucial and was, therefore, keen that DSC which had organized ABC training earlier should organise a similar workshop for District Development Officers (DDOs) and DRDA Directors.

It was agreed that the ABC workshop be organised in mid-January and the convenient dates would be worked-out with DSC. DSC  has sent a proposal to the Commissioner for approval.

Regarding the Watershed Development Fund, Mr. Mitra agreed to the recommendations made by the Parthasarthy Committee and requested Sajjata Sangh to prepare a draft of guideline / circular for proper utilisation of Watershed Development Fund. Top

Impact Assessment of Basic Training Course on Watershed

The Basic Training Course (BTC) for watershed Development Team members (WDT) is a preliminary and important input for capacity building of WDT to enable them to effectively implement the programme. It is a mandatory training programme for all WDTs in Gujarat. BTC focuses on orienting the WDT on the essential features of a participatory watershed management programme and is spanned over four weeks. DSC has conducted 18 such Basic training courses since its inception. 450 WDT members include 72 Engineers, 129 Agriculture and animal husbandry specialist and 249 community organizers from seven districts of the State have been trained under BTC.

Over the past 10 years the contents and the mode of delivery of DSC’s Basic Training Course have evolved to fit the changing needs of PIAs and WDT. DSC is keen to find out the impact of the training programme on both individual participants and the organization in which they work, and also understand as to how they have been able to operationalise the approaches, concepts, methods, tools, skills learned during this training programme. This assessment will help to identify gaps, need and possible modification of the BTC. This assessment will also contribute to development of a training strategy for watershed and map DSC’s training strength and weaknesses.

For this, DSC had approached a number of agencies and individuals and it has been finally decided to hire Dhan Foundation to carry out this task. Dhan Foundation has also accepted the offer and a three member team from Dhan foundation will complete the assignment by December 2006. Top

Learning cum Exposure programme for NAANDI Foundation (8th - 12th May 2006)

Naandi foundation is a Charitable Trust set up by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Satyam Computers Services Limited, Nagarjuna Group of Companies and Global Trust Bank. In the last week of February 2006, Shri Manoj Kumar, CEO Naandi Foundation, Hyderabad visited DSC to discuss about certain approaches and methods developed by DSC for promoting participatory programmes. He requested DSC to help orient Naandi staff members in participatory approaches, tools and methodologies.
DSC organised a five-day Learning cum Exposure programme for NAANDI staff to orient them about;

1. DSC’s approach to participatory natural resource management.
2. The “Sequential Steps” for community empowerment adopted by DSC
3. Visit DSC’s field implementation programme demonstrating approaches of  ‘problem to solution’ and ‘cost benefit’ 
4. Build understanding on Attitude and Behavioural aspects for participatory approach. Top

Support to other NGOs

DSC is supporting three organisations - Shri Bhudermal Adani Trust (SBAT), t, promoted by Adani Group, Associate Industrial Rural Development Trust (AIRDT), promoted by Associated Industries and SAATH, an NGO working on livelihood issues in Surendranagar. All the three NGOs had initially approached DSC to support their teams in carrying out micro planning and preparation of action plans. Impressed by the input provided by the DSC team, all the three NGOs have entered into a MoU with DSC. As per the MoU, DSC will support them in vision building and programme support for a one year period. The MoU will be revisited at the end of the year. Top

Campaign on National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme

The NREGS (National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme) is being implemented in the villages of Meghraj block of Sabarkantha District where DSC is also implementing the watershed programme. To create awareness regarding NREGS,  DSC organized Jagruti Yatras comprising of street play using local folk media Bhavai, street songs, pamphlets distribution, slogans, play cards and movable panel exhibition.

Seven such jagruti yatras were organized in villages of Meghraj taluka of Sabarkantha district. Nearly 1,000 people from the seven villages actively participated in the Jagruti yatra. During the yatra, DSC also involved Government representatives such as TDO (Taluka Development Officer), Mamlatdar, Taluka pramukh and officials from WASMO (Water and Sanitation Management Organisation).

The campaign helped clear a lot of doubts about the scheme particularly related to wage component, eligibility and the nature of work that can be taken up under NREG. The campaign was reported in the local newspapers also. We are enclosing the paper clipping and some photographs along with the report. Top

Radio Programme on Agriculture Productivity Enhancement

The Communication unit is involved in the design of radio promos and dummy episode of radio series named SAJJATA NO SANG, LAVE KHETI MA RANG. This 15 minutes radio series is being jointly produced by DSC  and Sajjata Sangh and will be broadcast from 23 November 2006 from Ahmedabad, Baroda and Rajkot ‘Aakashvani Kendra’. The unit has also designed posters and introductory leaflets that will be used for the publicity of the radio programme. The main aim of the programme is to provide information about best practices in agriculture that have been tried out by various farmers across the state. It will also feature a phone in question answer session with agriculture experts. Senior officers from various agriculture universities and the United Phosphorus Limited have agreed to become resource persons for this programme. Top

DSC conducts about 6-8 research studies each year. One of these is on an issue of national significance. This year the organization will be carrying out a study on the  above subject across four states namely AP, MP, Maharashtra and Gujarat. The objectives of the study are:

1. To identify the various stakeholders in canal irrigation (farmers- large & small at all the reaches, agriculture labour, women, etc.) and understand how irrigation affects their livelihoods.
2. The role played by the village institution (WUA) created for the sole purpose and how far it has tried to take care of the interests of all the stakeholder groups.
3. What can be done to increase the efficiency of PIM so that it creates greater impact on livelihood of various stakeholders?

The first Methodology workshop was held on 31st October 2006 at DSC. The four partner organizations that have been identified for the study - TAAL for MP, WASSAN for AP, IWMI for Maharashtra and GIDR for Gujarat were present during the preparatory meeting. The participants discussed the framework, the methodology and the timeline for this study, which was presented by DSC consultant Mr. Astad. The findings of the study will be shared in a National workshop that has been tentatively planned in March 2007. Top

DSC had carried out a study to assess the drinking water situation in 48 villages where watershed programme had been completed. Based on the findings of the study, DSC got necessary modifications in the Hariyali watershed guidelines and subsequently secured government orders in the State for according priority to drinking water augmentation in the ongoing watershed projects.

DSC then took upon itself to create a working model and demonstrate how drinking water security can be achieved in watershed villages, even where the project has been completed. Efforts will continue in the other watershed villages where the watershed projects are at various stages of implementation.  Gujarat Reclaim & Rubber Products Ltd is providing support to DSC in this endeavor.

Paper presentation in the National Conference organized by WASMO, Gandhinagar

WASMO (Water and Sanitation Management Organisation), conducted a two day national workshop on “Scaling up sector reforms: looking ahead, learning from the past”. Executive Director and Programme Officer (Watershed), had written a paper on the “Role of Paani Samiti for Sustainable Drinking Water Supply in Earthquake affected Villages of Gujarat”, which was presented before the audience that consisted of about 150 participants including those from states such as Himachal, Maharashtra, MP, Uttaranchal, AP and Chandigarh. The presentation was well received and was specially mentioned by the Resource Person Shri Ashok Chatterjee and also by Shri R.K Sama. The Secretary WR, Government of Gujarat, Shri Gadhvi was present during both the dates and during the discussions that followed he felt that looking at the various suggestions that had come up during this workshop, a state level advisory committee could be formed to look up these issues. He also felt that a resource center could be developed wherein information could be assessed by anybody across the state on water harvesting and water management.  Top

Sajjata Sangh (an NGO’s network promoted by DSC) had organized a preliminary  seminar to discuss need, process, methodology and required resources for the Accreditation process. 47 participants from NGO Networks, Donor agencies, government department and rating agencies participated in the workshop.  Member Planning Commission Shri B. N. Yugandhar had given inaugural speech. Various government departments from center and state And donor agencies such as World Bank, AKF, and CARE also gave their valuable inputs in the seminar. Gujarat based networks like Pravah, Sajjata Sangh Janpath and Mahila Swaraj Abhian also participated. The consensus that emerged in the seminar was as follows:  

• Not withstanding the inherent diversities among NGOs with respect to their size, vision, management structure and specialisation, participants were in agreement regarding the need to develop the criteria of rating embodying minimum credible standards of governance and accountability.
• The responsibility of undertaking capacity building of NGOs rests with the networks like Sajjata Sangh, PRAVAH, Jan Vikas to enable them to develop and attain the desired standards of governance and management so that they may obtain good rating.

In the seminar, decision was taken to form of a group to be led by Anil C Shah to work further on the key operational issues of the rating system, particularly

• Selection of credible competent agencies
• Funding requirements
• Parameters

These issues were discussed in great length in the first meeting of the Action Group on July 7, 2006. The action group considered a few critical parameters such as financial transparency, leadership etc. to assess the issue of minimum credible standards of governance in a development organisation. To assess each such parameter, possible indicators were also suggested.

While considering the selection of independent competent rating agencies, such CRISIL, Dun and Bradstreet, FitchIndia Rating Agency and ICRA. CRISIL with its credentials as a reputed rating agency and its experience in rating of NGOs and Micro-Finance Institutions (MFIs) emerged as the competent rating agency to undertake the rating of NGOs. A proposal to fund the accreditation of about 100 NGOs in Gujarat has been sent to Planning Commission as well as Ford Foundation. Top

Development and Innovation Fund

The 23rd Board meeting of DSC appreciated the gesture of the Emeritus Chairman of donating his private savings towards setting up a “Development & Innovation Fund for CBOs. The Emeritus Chairman and his wife Induben gave a cheque of Rs.2.5 lakhs to DSC for this. A committee consisting of Shri Tushaar Shah, Apoorva Oza, ED, DSC and Programme Officer (watershed) as its member convener has been set up to look at  the modalities of the fund. The committee met to work out a scheme for the same. It was felt that the funds could be used for a) Community based organizations working on natural resources who could apply for initiating innovative activities b) Financial support in terms of grant, loan, or both, interim finance and revolving fund to CBOs. DSC has developed a brochure of the fund and process of applying for the same. The brochure had been sent to about 70 NGOs working in NRM.  DSC has also circulated this brochure among the publishers of developmental magazines in Gujarati and 6 magazine had already been published it. Top

Gram Vikas  and Gram Sangathan Paritoshik

Nominations for Gram Vikas Paritoshik and Gram Sangathan Paritoshik were invited in September 2006. The Jury members and Assessment panel’s meeting was held on 7th October 2006 to shortlist the nominations. Six-gram sangathans were identified for further assessment for Gram Sangathan Paritoshik and eight individuals / organisations were shortlisted for Gram Vikas Paritoshik. The assessment will be carried out during November – December 2006. The final jury meeting will be held on last week of December 2006. The event for the paritoshik has been tentatively fixed for third week of January 2007. Top