The Kudimaramathu scheme, meaning the restoration of water bodies through participatory approach, was introduced by the State government in 2016-17 on a pilot basis.

After its successful implementation, the scheme was extended in the following years.

For the current year, Rs 328.95 crore had been allotted by the State government Though the Kudimaramathu works are implemented by the Water Resources Department, the works would be implemented by farmers, councils, ayacutdars or users associations, as per the procedures laid down under the scheme.

To monitor the implementation of Kudimaramathu schemes throughout the state, Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan recently passed an order appointing seven senior IAS officials covering 15 circles.

The officials are entrusted with three main duties. Primarily, they must ensure the participation of farmers, councils, ayacutdars or users associations, as per the procedures laid out under the scheme.

Secondly, to monitor and to provide necessary advice and solution to the district officials for sorting out the bottlenecks and pave way for speedy and better implementation of the scheme.

The monitoring officials were also directed to visit the dam sites and reservoirs and ensure that the shutters are in good operating condition, as part of monsoon preparedness works in the districts.

Gagandeep Singh Bedi, Agriculture Department Secretary, Amuda, Commissioner of Food Safety, Pankaj Kumar Bansal, Managing Director, Chennai Metro Rail Ltd, Rajendra Ratnoo, Commissioner of Disaster Management, Ashish Vachhani, Planning and Development Department Secretary, Darez Ahamed, Mission Director, National Health Mission and K Gopal, Animal Husbandry Department Secretary are the seven IAS officers appointed.