Tamilnadu Farmers' Management of Irrigation Systems Act

The State of Tamilnadu is essentially an agricultural state depending on an efficient and equitable supply and distribution of water, which is a national wealth ensuring optimum utilization by farmers for improvement of agricultural production.

It is essential to promote and secure distribution of water among its users, adequate maintenance of the irrigation system efficient and economical utilization of water to optimize agricultural production by involving farmers and inculcating a sense of ownership of the irrigation system in them in accordance with the water budget and operation plan.

The scientific and systematic development and maintenance of irrigation infrastructure is considered best possible through farmers organizations.


Such farmers organizations have to be given an effective role in the management and maintenance of the irrigation system for effective and reliable supply and distribution of water.

The "Tamilnadu Farmers Management of Irrigation Systems Act - 2000" of the Tamilnadu Legislative Assembly (Act No. 7 of 2001), was enacted to provide for farmers participation in the management of irrigation systems and for matters connected there with or incidental thereto.

The TNFMIS ACT extends to the whole of Tamilnadu State.

It shall come into force on such date as the Government may, by notification, appoint for different areas and for different provisions of the Act.

TNFMIS ACT contains 7 chapters comprising of 50 sections. These sectors of the Act envisage different levels of farmers organizations, their functions, funds, offences and penalties, settlement of disputes and miscellaneous.

In exercise of the powers conferred by section 50 of the TNFMIS ACT - 2000, the Governor of Tamilnadu made 34 rules for the purpose of effective implementation of this Act.

(For more details of the TNFMIS ACT, rules and detailed procedures, please contact the Director, IMTI, Thuvakudy, Tiruchirappalli-620 0015. Or E-Mail to tnimti@ sancharnet.in)

TNFMIS ACT was implemented in the command area of 6.00 lakhs hectares covered by WRCP in 20 districts of Tamilnadu.

The areas of 1566 Water users Associations (WUAs) were delineated by the District Collectors concerned in coordination with the Officials of WRO and elections organized during 2004 as per the Act. 1552 Presidents and 7704 Territorial Constituency members constituting the managing committee of 1552 WUAs were elected through secret ballot and WUAs started functioning.

Constitution of the next higher levels farmers organization viz : Distributory Committees and Project Committees are in the process by the Government.

Suitable action has also been initiated to bring the Act into force in the remaining districts for implementation.

IMTI is playing a pivotal role in training the WRO Officials, Farmers representatives elected for the management of the irrigation systems, members of WUAs and revenue officials on the process of implementing the Act including conduct of elections for the management committees and functioning of farmers orgnaisations at different levels.