Consequent to the appointment of IAS officers to monitor the implementation of the kudimaramathu scheme, the district administration has decided to form a district-level committee to achieve the aim of effective implementation of the scheme by involving farmers and farmers' organisations in the desilting works.
According to official sources, a sum of ₹9.67 crore has been apportioned to Tiruchi district for the current year as against ₹4.03 lakh in 2017-18. As many as 65 works have been selected in Tiruchi district for carrying out kudimaramathu this year. Of them, the River Conservation (RC) Division of the PWD will execute 29 works at an estimate of ₹4.24 crore and the Ariyar Division will oversee the execution of 36 works at a cost of ₹5.42 crore.
Most of the selected canals have been heavily silted over the years. Clearing bushes, removing silt accumulation, deepening of water spread areas and strengthening of bunds are among the components of works. Besides, the scheme encompasses maintenance work in supply channels and canals, outlet channels and shutters, the strengthening and reconstruction of surplus weirs and sluices. Increasing the storage capacity of tanks and channels is one of the main objectives of the scheme. As per the government directive, the works should be carried out by involving farmers and farmers's organisations (ayacutars) of respective tanks.
Out of 29 water bodies in RC Division, officials said works on 25 water bodies have commenced. In Ariyar Division, 32 works have commenced out of 36 works. Remaining works are expected to be taken up in a few days.
Consequent to the complaints of “name sake” participation of farmers in the kudimaramathu works in last year, it is said that clear instructions have been given to the officials to ensure active participation of farmers in the scheme. To carry out checking and cross checking of works a district-level monitoring committee is likely to be formed in a few days.
Collector K. Rajamani, who inspected the progress of kudimaramathu works in Lalgudi taluk, told The Hindu that the PWD officials had been asked to ensure the active participation of farmers in respective water bodies. Frequent inspection would be carried out to ensure transparency. All standard procedures laid down for the scheme should be clearly adhered to.
There should be no rooms of complaints.
P. Viswanathan, president, 'Tamilaga Eri and Aatrupasana Vivasayigal Sangham', said there were complaints of nominal participation of 'ayacutar sanghams' in the kudimaramathu works in a few places. The officials should ensure total transparency. No pilferage or leakages should be entertained this year. The allocated fund should be spent fully for desilting tanks.