Streamlining Water Charges (Abiana) Function in Punjab

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dc.contributor.authorMuhammad Hassan Rizwan
dc.date.accessioned2025-09-09T10:29:19Z
dc.date.available2025-09-09T10:29:19Z
dc.date.issued2021
dc.description.abstractDue to rapid increase in the population, high demand of water, system inefficiencies and low turnover of revenue (Water Charges/Abiana), the overburdened century old irrigation system lead to poor service delivery. In order to improve the system efficiency and streamlining Abiana recovery, a comprehensive Reforms Program in irrigation sector was introduced with the approval of Punjab Irrigation and Drainage Authority (PIDA) Act in 1997. Subsequently, PIDA at provincial level, 5 Area Water Boards (AWBs) at main canal command level and 402Farmers Organizations (FOs) at Distributary level were established and assigned them all functions of irrigation management including Abiana assessment, bills distribution, collection and deposition into bank account. The overall purpose of this research work is to study the matrix of Abiana function performance status in irrigation sector reforms process, Punjab. The results have highlighted that the Abiana performance of 4 AWBs-FOs during first tenure of 3 years was reasonably good with an effective recovery as about 80% but declined to 50% over time in almost all AWBs. FOs in D.G Khan performed poor as 33% recovery of Abiana due to its socio-economic settings. The accumulative Abiana recovery for total period of PIDA-FOs system was 61%. After completion of tenure of FOs LCC-East Faisalabad, prolonged Administrator’s department consequential period affected recovery system of PIDA reforms. FOs did not accept various amendments in legal frame work of FOs during their tenure. Consequently, in almost all the AWBs-FOs went in litigations and recovery substantially decreased. FOs were involved in misappropriation/embezzlement of Abiana money due to which PIDA reforms vision was paralyzed. The Government as a way out decided to induct Khal Panchayats system with advisory role under reforms model and the Abiana function reverted back to the department. At present, the Irrigation Department is responsible for preparation of Abiana assessment, bills delivery to Lumberdars for collection under land revenue procedure. In this system the Revenue Department is responsible for collection of Abiana. Most recently, a new mechanism of digital E-Abiana system is launched by irrigation department in four areas i.e. Sheikhupura, Kasur, Khanwa and Layyah which will be extended all over Punjab soon. Further new Rules with advanced approach are under process for streamlining irrigation management functions including Abiana recovery mechanism.
dc.identifier.urihttps://escholar.umt.edu.pk/handle/123456789/6124
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherUMT, Lahore
dc.titleStreamlining Water Charges (Abiana) Function in Punjab
dc.typeThesis
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