G.O.(Ms.) No. 11, Rationalization of Minor Irrigation Statistics, 2025

What the government order does

G.O.(Ms.) No. 11 of the Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (ST.2&E) Department creates a State Level Steering Committee, Technical Sub-Committee and District Level Sub-Committee for conducting four censuses:

• The 7th Minor Irrigation Census.
• The 2nd Census of Water Bodies.
• The 1st Census of Major and Medium Irrigation Projects.
• The 1st Census of Springs.

All four censuses have the reference year 2023-24. The committees are intended to support monitoring and smooth completion of census work. The committee arrangements replace those ordered through G.O.(Ms.) No. 107 dated 2 September 2024.

Administration and leadership

The Department of Economics and Statistics is the nodal department for the Minor Irrigation Census and Census of Water Bodies. Its Principal Secretary or Commissioner serves as Census Commissioner.

The State Level Steering Committee is chaired by the Chief Secretary to Government. The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Planning and Development Department, is Vice-Chairman. Members include representatives from revenue administration, land administration, municipal administration, the Greater Chennai Corporation, rural development and panchayat raj, town panchayats, forests, water resources, agricultural engineering and central government statistical and water agencies.

The Technical Sub-Committee is chaired by the Regional Chief Engineer of the Central Water Commission, acting as the state officer in charge. The supplied text also identifies the Joint Commissioner for Cinema and Irrigation in the Land Administration Department as part of that committee.

Main responsibilities

The State Level Steering Committee must:

• Review progress of all four censuses and support their successful completion in Tamil Nadu.
• Meet regularly or when suggested by the Government of India.
• Discuss and resolve obstacles affecting census activities.
• Support timely completion of the census work.

District Level Sub-Committees may operate under District Collectors where required for better local monitoring and field implementation.

Relevance to property owners and buyers

G.O.(Ms.) No. 11 concerns government data collection and administrative oversight of irrigation projects, water bodies and springs. The supplied text does not change land ownership, property registration, land classification, planning permission, charges or fees. Owners or professionals may encounter census fieldwork or official data collection where relevant water resources or irrigation facilities are located.