One of the main objectives of “Rationalization of minor Irrigation Statistics (RMIS) a sub-scheme under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Irrigation Census’ is to conduct Census of Minor Irrigation structures in the country on quinquennial basis. Five Censuses have been completed so far with reference years 1986-87, 1993-94, 2000-2001, 2006-07 and 2013-14 respectively.
The 6th MIC with reference year 2017-18 is being taken up to build sound and reliable database on the minor irrigation sector. The data will be used for estimating the availability of Ground Water and formulation of realistic plan for Water Resources development. The scope of Irrigation Census now been expanded to include Census of Water Bodies also with 100% Central Assistance.
The 6thMI Census will be conducted in a traditional methodology i.e. canvass paper based schedules for capturing the village level data and the MI scheme data from the rural areas. For the census of Water bodies, schedules of water bodies will be canvassed both for rural and urban areas. A smart phone to capture the latitude, longitude and photograph of water bodies, shall be used in the Census of Water Bodies.
| a. Minor Irrigation Census- | |
| i. Village Schedule | |
| ii. Ground Water scheme schedule | |
| iii. Surface Water scheme schedule | |
| b. Census of Water Bodies | |
| i. Urban Schedule | |
| ii. Water Body schedule (one schedule for each water body both in rural and urban areas) | |
State and the District level Co-ordination Committees with Secretary of the Nodal department as Chairman with the member of the departments concerned to be formed. Training at National / Regional / State / Mandal level to be conducted. Publicity campaign at State / District / Mandal / Village level shall be taken up.
The primary work of collection of data will be carried out by the enumerators both in rural and urban (for water bodies) areas. VRO / VRA are the enumerators in rural and urban areas. The work of supervision will be entered to higher supervisor level officers of the field agency at mandal functionary. The quality of field work is to be monitored by mandal / district / state level officers. And ensure the correctness of the data by frequent visits and checks the entries made by the primary enumerator. The primary enumerator should take along with them the list of all schemes covered in the last census during 2013-14 while going for field work. The enumerators should visit and cover all those schemes again.
Mandal level officer will visit at least 5 villages and physically verify the schemes / water bodies covered and scrutinize at least 10% or 300 schedules whichever is maximum. Mandal level officer fill up the supervisor’s report form and submit all the schemes to District level officer. 1% of total schemes or 100 schedules whichever is maximum be scrutinize by district level officer. The district level officer shall visit 5 villages in 5 separate mandals to physical verify the quality and coverage of all the MI schemes and water body schedules. The district level supervisory officer has to submit the supervisory report to the State Nodal officer.