Decentralization Process in Irrigation Sector in Punjab of Pakistan
The irrigation system of Pakistan is the single most important infrastructure for the sustainable irrigated agriculture production that is crucial for the agro-based economy of the country. However, the performance of the irrigation system has been unsatisfactory despite of the sizeable investments made in the rehabilitation of the century old system. One of the key factors recognized as responsible for this performance in Pakistan now is the poor performance of the related institutions. Keeping in view the new demands and challenges for food and fiber production for achieving food security and the persistent poor performance of the state-managed irrigation system, the Government of Pakistan (GoP) opted for fundamental institutional reforms based on three key elements of decentralization, participation, and management transfer. The need for reforms became more evident with successful farmers managed irrigation schemes around the world employing integrated water resource management (IWRM) approach in a participatory and transfer management models through decentralization of key responsibilities at tertiary level. The IWRM is being translated into practice through the statement known as Dublin Principles - management needs to be participatory, with responsibilities assigned at the lowest appropriate level. Decentralization through participatory irrigation management (PIM) is key principle around which these reforms were built and implemented. This paper presents a brief review of the present status of Institutional Reforms being implemented in the Irrigation Sector of Punjab of Pakistan. The specific objective of the paper is to assess the effectiveness of ongoing decentralization process through ensuring participation / irrigation management transfer in terms of improving overall management and governance of irrigation system in Punjab of Pakistan using pre and post analysis technique. The irrigation performance is being assessed in pre and post reform scenarios using indicators such as efficiency, equity, transparency, accountability, revenue collection, operation and maintenance and dispute resolution within the tertiary irrigation system. The analysis reveals that reforms in irrigation sector of Punjab of Pakistan have successfully led to the creation of a more service oriented institutional arrangement at the tertiary level particularly with regard to dispute resolution, equity and efficiency as well as transparency and accountability.
Institutional Reforms Decentralization Participatory Irrigation Management Equity
AKHTAR Muhammad Junaid Usman CEPIKU Denita
School of Business Studies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy, 00133
国际会议
2012 International Conference on Public Administration(8th)(2012年公共管理国际会议 ICPA)
印度海德拉巴
英文
118-132
2012-10-25（万方平台首次上网日期，不代表论文的发表时间）