Karnataka Water Resources Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy has directed officials to immediately fill vacant posts under the Command Area Development Authorities (CADA), saying staffing gaps are delaying development work in irrigation command areas across the state. The direction was issued at a meeting of the CADA directorate chaired by the minister on Monday, according to a report by Prajavani.
The meeting reviewed the functioning of CADA authorities, development in command areas, maintenance of irrigation systems, strengthening of irrigation users’ associations and the provision of essential infrastructure for farmers. Cheluvarayaswamy instructed officials to make CADA activities more effective so that irrigation water is used properly, agricultural productivity improves and farmers’ economic development receives support.
The minister said development works in command areas should not be limited to building infrastructure. Projects should be planned and implemented in a way that delivers direct benefits to farmers and contributes to higher agricultural production, the report said.
A key part of the directions concerned irrigation users’ associations, which play an important role in managing command areas. The minister called for these organisations to be strengthened and for greater farmer participation in the distribution and use of irrigation water. Officials were also told to create awareness about the economical use of water and ensure that farmers participate in the management of command areas.
The vacancies under the CADA directorate were discussed as a serious factor behind delays in implementing development schemes. Cheluvarayaswamy instructed officials to take immediate steps to fill all vacant posts within the directorate’s jurisdiction. He said the recruitment process should be completed quickly without delay, noting that the Chief Minister had also issued directions on the matter.
The minister further directed officials to adopt integrated measures to improve agricultural productivity in irrigation command areas. Along with ensuring irrigation facilities, CADA authorities were asked to promote suitable cropping practices and develop the infrastructure required by farmers. Areas where soil productivity has declined should be identified for land-rejuvenation work, while local problems in command areas should be identified and addressed through priority development programmes.
The meeting also focused on implementation and monitoring. CADA authorities were instructed to prepare annual action plans properly and complete works within the prescribed timelines. Officials were told to continuously monitor the quality and progress of projects and coordinate with concerned departments, irrigation users’ associations and technical institutions.
The directions place the immediate focus on filling vacancies and improving coordination within CADA authorities. The report did not specify the number of vacant posts, the recruitment schedule or the command areas that would be prioritised. The next steps are expected to involve accelerating the recruitment process, preparing annual action plans and monitoring ongoing works across the state’s irrigation command areas.
