The National Water Policy (1987) emphasised the involvement of farmers in various aspects of the management of irrigation system, particularly in water distribution and collection of charges. Moreover in order to reduce the gap between potential created and its utilization, more emphasis has been laid on Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) where the farmers to take part in the irrigation management system.

Under the PIM system, Water Users’ Association (WUA) has been formed within the command area of Government irrigation schemes with a view to handing over these irrigation schemes to WUA to upkeep and maintain for equitable distribution of irrigation water in phased manner. At present, 1581 numbers of WUA have been formed till 31st March, 2018. Out of which 893 nos. of WUA have been registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and the rest 683 nos. are unregistered. About 170 nos. of schemes are already handed over to WUA.

Exposure tour outside the state of Assam has been arranged for some irrigation officials, NGO and farmers of WUA and accordingly visited Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand. The Assam Irrigation Waters Users' Act, 2004 has been enacted with a view to safeguarding the rights of the farmers over the Government irrigation schemes where the provision for active participation of the farmers has been made. Necessary rules under the act are also being passed by the government.

For more information, refer to the link : Assam Irrigation Water Users' Act, 2004