MISSIONKAKATIYA

1.0)

Introduction:

1.1)ImportanceofTanksinthedevelopmentofnewstateofTelangana.
Tanks have been the life line of Telangana people, due to geographical
positioning of Telangana and people are being dependent on the tanks, which are
spread in all the Districts. The topography and rainfall pattern in Telangana has
madetankirrigationanidealtypeofirrigation,storingandregulatingwaterflowfor
agriculturaluse.
Construction of tanks in Telangana has been an age old activity since pre
Satavahana era. During Kaakatiya era construction tanks were carried out with
utmost technical expertise. Tanks resembling seas like Ramappa, Pakhala ,
Laknavaram , Ghanapuram, Bayyaram etc were built by kakatiyas which greatly
helped development of agriculture and overall development and prosperity in
Kakatiyakingdom.
This vision and legacy of Kakatiyas were carried forward by Kutubshahis ,
Asafjahiswhoruledthisregionforcenturies.Hundredsofbigandsmalltankswere
built in Telangana Region during their rule. Govt desires to uphold the vision of
Kakatiyas which envisages revival and restoration of Minor Irrigation Sources in
TelanganaState.
Tankirrigationhashugebearingongenerationofruralemployment,poverty
reduction and agricultural growth. The sheer size of command area under tank
irrigation, makes it a large centre of agricultural production and provides a critical
opportunityforcommercialagriculturethroughmarketlinkages.
2.0)

IrrigationPolicyofCombinedStateofA.P:

Infact,theA.P.irrigationpolicy,attheinstanceofAndhraleadershipcoming
from Coastal Andhra, has given rise to uneven development. It emphasized the
majorirrigationwherethealluvialplainsirrigatedbythetankshaveremainedlargely
insignificant.Theirrigationpolicy,whichgaveemphasistomajorprojects,resultedin
thedestructionofageoldwaterconservationsystemswithchainoftanknetworks.
The successive Governments successfully ignored the maintenance and
developmentoftanksandallowedthemtofacenaturalextinctionbywayofsiltation,
breaches,encroachmentsetc.Withtheextinctionoftanksystem,theselfsufficient
villagesofTelanganahavebecomedroughtproneareas.
Today the drought is manifested in every facet of human life and it is
particularly so with the rural poor. The exodus of people from rural areas of
TelanganatoHyderabadandotherfaroffplaceshasmadethelifevulnerable.This
has also proliferated the squatter settlements and slums in the urban areas. The
Krishna, Godavari, Musi and Manjira rivers traverse through the semi arid lands of
Telangana districts especially Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Medak, Ranga Reddy,
Nalgonda,Mahabubnagabutlargequantitiesoftheseriversaredivertedtosubsist
theindustrial,drinkingandotherneedsofHyderabadandirrigationneedsofAndhra.
Otherwise, these rivers would have sufficed and satiated the water needs of these
districts. Irrigation policies of A.P. exposed the true colours of regional bias and
machinationstopromotetheirinterests.
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This continuous and policy based discrimination in Irrigation Sector turned

TelanganaRegionintoagraveyardofFarmersandlandofmigration.Selfsustained
villages of Telangana have become drought prone villages. 80 % farmer suicides
occurred in AP state were from Telangana region and millions of people from 10
Telangana districts migrated to far off places like Mumbai, Bhivandi , Surat ,
AhmedabadandGulfcountriesaslaborersinsearchoflivelihood.16lakhpopulation
fromMahaboobnagardistrictalonemigratedtofaroffplaces.Hence,exploitationof
waterresourceshasbeenoneofthemajorconcernsofTelanganamovementand
people strongly felt that by creation of a new state of Telangana i.e state power
alonewouldfetchthemwater.
Realizing the importance of reclamation of tanks for growth in the state, the
GovernmentoftheTelanganaStatehavetakenuptheprogrammeofrestoringthe
minor irrigation sources under the title Mission Kakatiya (Mana Ooru Mana
Cheruvu) with community participation for ensuring sustainable water security in
TelanganaState,toretrievethelostgloryofminorirrigationinthestate.
In July 2014 Irrigation Department, Govt of Telangana has carried out
census of Minor Irrigation sources in Telangana for the first time which include M.I
tanks constructed and maintained by Irrigation Dept. , M.I Tanks constructed by
Panchayat Raj Dept. and later transferred to Irrigation Dept., Percolation Tanks ,
ForestTanks,PrivateKuntas,Anicuts,Checkdams.Aspertheenumeration,total
number of tanks found to be around 46531 . It is planned to restore all the 46,531
minor irrigation sources in the state in next five years, taking up 20% of the tanks
eachyear.
3.0)OBJECTIVEOFMISSIONKAKATIYA:
The objective of Kakatiya Mission is to enhance the development of
agriculture based income for small and marginal farmers through sustainable
irrigationresourcesbyacceleratingthedevelopmentofminorirrigationinfrastructure,
strengthening community based irrigation management, adopting a comprehensive
programmeforrestorationoftanks.

3.1)ThemainbenefitsfromtheRestorationofTanks:
i.

expectedgainsfromirrigatedareaexpansionbycoveringgapayacut(i.e.
part of the planned area of tanks command that is currently not being
coveredbyirrigation)
ii. technology impacts through adoption of resource conservationcum
productiontechnologieswhentheprojectisfullyimplemented
iii. diversification to cover irrigated area under highvalue and low water
intensifiedcropssuchaschillies,maizeandvegetables
iv. fisheriesdevelopment
v. livestockimprovements
vi. reductioninwaterloggedareaand
vii. Improving ground water levels and water quality there by lands beyond
commandareascabnebroughtunderborewellirrigation.
powersavingsduetothereducedneedforwellirrigationthatarecurrentlyusedto
supplementtheinsufficienttankwater.

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4.0)Workstobetakenup:
Thefollowingaretheworksthatwillbetakenupundertheprogramme.
a. Desiltationandapplicationofsiltapplicationinthelocalfields
b. RestorationofFeederChanneltothetank.
c. ResectioningofIrrigationChannels&RepairstoCM&CDworks.
d. RepairstoBund,Weir&Sluices.
e. RaisingofFTL,whereverpossible
Proceduretotakeuptheaboveworkshasbeendiscussedindetailinthe
guidelinesissued.
5.0)DistrictwiseMinorIrrigationSources:
The tanks, which are to be proposed for Ist phase of implementation, are to
be identified by the field level Engineers as per the guide lines and the surveys of
tanksandpreparationofEstimatesforcallingupoftendersisunderbriskprogress.
Sl.
No.

District

Sourcesfinalisedas
on18.10.2014

1
2

Karimnagar
Adilabad

5939
3951

No.ofsourcestobe
restoredduring
201415
1188
790

3
4
5

Warangal
Khammam
Nizamabad

5839
4517
3251

1168
903
650

Medak

7941

1588

RangaReddy

2851

570

8
9

Mahaboobnagar
Nalgonda
Total

7480
4762
46531

1496
952
9306

6.0) The Government have formulated certain guidelines for effective and efficient
implementationofMissionKakatiya,emphasizingtheneedofprioritizingthetanksto
be taken up for restoration, works that are to be taken up, tendering and working
procedurestobefollowedetc.,Thetankswithrelativelylargerayacutandthathave
notbeencoveredundertheprogrammessuchasRRRandCBTMPshallinitiallybe
taken up for restoration and the rest will be covered in the subsequent years. The
prioritizationofthetankswillbedoneinconsultationwiththepublicrepresentatives
oftherespectiveareas.
6.1)ReformsEstimates:
TheGovernmenthavemadecertainmodificationstothefinanciallimitsinthe
powersdelegatedtotheauthoritiesfortechnicalsanctionoftheworks.Themodified
limitsareasfollows:
Task
Powersdelegatedto
Inspection
before ExecutiveEngineer
technicalsanction
Superintending
Engineer
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ValueinRs.lakhs
100
100500

ChiefEngineer

Above500

Technical Sanction and ExecutiveEngineer

TenderApproval
Superintending
Engineer
TechnicalSanction

ChiefEngineer

TendersApproval

ChiefEngineer
Commissioner
Tenders

50
50to100
Above 100 & up to AA
accorded
100to400
of

Above400

6.2)Tendering:
The works under Mission Kakatiya will be taken up under e.procurement
process,usingtheexistingplatform,renamedasMissionKaktiya.AllthenewSEs&
EEs shall obtain the digital keys from the APTS for utilization of Mission Kakatiya
Platform. In order to encourage local entrepreneurs, financial limits for class V
Contractorsisenhancedfrom10to50lakhs.Atenderingtimeschedulespecificto
theworksundertheprogrammehasbeenmadewhichisasfollows:

1
2
3
4

Process
CallingofTenders
AcceptanceofTenders
ConcludingAgreements
AdditionalsecurityDeposit

Earlier
14Days
90Days
14Days
<25%

Present
7Days
7Days
5Days
<10%

7.0)Interdepartmentalcoordination:
Various Government departments will have to play a vital role in
implementation of the programme, coordinating with each other. However, the
departmentwiseactivitiesthattobetakenupareasfollows:
7.1) Irrigation& CAD department: The Irrigation &CAD department is the main
implementing department. The works will be executed through the Superintending
EngineerandtheExecutiveEngineeroftheconcernedareas,supportedbythefield
engineers i.e., Dy. Executive Engineers and the Assistant Executive Engineers,
under over all supervision of the Chief Engineer, Minor Irrigation. The engineers at
all the levels will have to be in constant touch with the officials of the line
departmentstohavebettercoordination.
7.2) Agriculture Department: The tasks that are to be carried out by the
Agriculturedepartmentare:
a) Inalltanks,samplesofthesiltshouldbecollectedtotestitssuitabilityfor
applicationinagriculturefieldsandwidespreadpublicityshouldbegiven
to utilize tank bed silt by farmers emphasizing the benefits of silt
application..
b) Thefarmersshouldbemotivatedbythedepartmentonthefollowing
I)
Efficientuseofavailablewaterthroughchangeinirrigationsystem
andimprovedwatermanagementtechniques.
II)
Increase in productivity of farms through suitable cropping pattern
andincreasedcroppingintensity.
III)
Balanced use of chemical fertilizers and judicious use of plant
protectionchemicals.
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IV)
V)

Reduction of cultivation cost through introduction of improved

implementsandequipment.
Introductionofhightechagriculturetoincreasethefarmreturns.

7.3) Forest Department: The tasks that are to be carried out by the Forest
departmentare:
I) Effective utilization of tank foreshore areas in selected locations with
afforestation.
II) Nurseryraisingandplantationwherevernecessary.
III) Trainingformaintenanceandculturaloperations.
IV) Planting Silver Oak and Toddy ( Eetha ) trees around the tank
boundaries.
These activities, apart from reducing silt inflow into the tank, are also
expectedtocreateanadditional,sustainableincomesourceforthetankcommunity.
7.4)FisheriesDepartment:Thedepartmentshouldtakeupthefollowingactivities
whichwillresultinincreaseinfishandrelatedaquaculture.
(i)Upgradingproductionpracticesthroughimprovedstocking
(ii)Improvedfeeding,managementandharvestingtechniques
(iii)Intensivefishandprawncultivation.
7.5) Revenue Department: The Revenue Department officials will have to
coordinatewiththefieldEngineersin:
(i)IdentifyingtheShikamlands
(ii)Determining/demarkingtheFTLoftank.
(iii)Identifyingthegovernmentwastelandsfordumpingtheunuseful
soils
(iv)Cooperate Incroachments and rrigation dept in removing eillegal
constructionsintankbed
7.6)GroundWaterDepartment:Thegroundwaterdepartmentshouldregularly:
(i)Monitorthegroundwaterlevelsandqualityofgroundwater.
(ii)Supply list of over exploited villages to the district Superintending
Engineers/ExecutiveEngineers.
7.7) Rural Development Department: The department should converge various
other programmes being implemented, with the Mission Kakatiya and coordinate
withtheotherlinedepartmentswhenandwherevernecessary.
7.8) Information and Public Relations Department: This being a public
programme,theI&PRshouldplayakeyroleincreatingproperawarenessamongall
sectionsofthepeopleontheMissionKakatiyathroughdifferentIECactivities.
i.

Creation of awareness on the benefits out of restoration of the tanks by

using different types of media and organizing IEC activities like street
plays,kalajathas,wallwritings,pamphletsandinvolvingruralfolklorelike
Chindu,Voggukathaluetc.,

ii.

Motivatethefarmerstoutilizetheusefulsiltexcavatedoutofthetanksin
theiragriculturefieldsattheircost,byexplainingthebenefitsoutofit.

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iii.

Organizingessayandelocutioncompetitionsforthestudentsonthetopic
tanks and their restoration , in coordination with the education
department, at each school level, at mandal level with the winners at
schoollevelandsoonuptothedistrictlevelandawardingprizestothe
winnerstoencouragetheminmotivatingtheirparents.

iv.

InvolvingNCC,NSS,GuidesandScoutsandNehruYuvakKendrasetc.,in
propagatingthebenefitsoftheprogramme.

v.

InvolvingPublicRepresentativesandSHGsintheprogramme.

8)AdoptionofTanks:
ItisproposedtoencourageTelanganaNRIswhoareaspiringdevelopmentof
theirvillagestoadoptatankormoreandtoinviteNonProfit&development
oriented charity social Organizations / NGOs , Corporate organizations to
adopt a tank. Their involvement will be limited to Supervision , protection,
beautificationandmaintenanceofthetank.
9)ProtectionofWaterBodies:
Social/ peoples Organization for each tank is proposed to be constituted to
protect water bodies from encroachments and for proper maintenance at
villagelevel.
Every year it is proposed to remove silt / farmers are motivated to excavate
and dump the silt in their fields for increase in yield of crop and maintaining
thetankcapacitytoitsstandards.
People/Farmers/Publicrepresentativesaretobeworkedinthisdirection.
All the above procedures are proposed to be followed under mission
Kakatiya for its successful implementation and for restoring the minor
irrigationsourceswithcommunityparticipationforensuringsustainable
watersecurityinTelanganaState
ChiefEngineer,
MinorIrrigation

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