Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
progress toward full cost recovery. The ISF of initially 30 kopeks per cubic meter was raised
gradually and has been 1.2 dirham 233 per cubic meter since August 2004. In the long run, there
are plans to introduce differentiated fees (according to type of irrigation and soil). 234 Despite
the fact that the current fees are insufficient for full cost recovery, local water agencies have
been expected to cover part of their costs by fee collection since 1996. 235 The RaiVodKhoz
Aini, for example, receives 60% of its funding from the state budget and 40% from ISFs.
The implementation of the ISF is best assessed by looking at the payment rates. Unfortu
nately, no exact data on payment rates are available. In the first few years, the payment rates
were very low; then they gradually increased. The SPECA report notes a payment rate of 15
17% in 1996 99 and 40% in 2000 (SPECA 2004: 67). The 2006 Water Sector Development
Strategy mentions 60% (MIWM, UNDP, EC IFAS 2006: 18). Estimates calculated by different
officials of the MinVodKhoz and other agencies range from 56% to only 8% for the years
2002/2003. 236 Even the most positive assessments thus estimate that almost 10 years after the
introduction of the tariffs, only half of the total amount due is paid.
It is impossible to say whether payment is better in those areas where WUAs have been
established and are responsible for the fee collection as no such data exist. While representa
tives of the CFPS claim payment rates were about 80 90% that in their pilot WUAs, a Rai
VodKhoz director said that it makes no difference and that in one of the pilot WUAs in his
raion , the payment rate was only 5%. 237
In addition, a considerable part of the water fees is paid in kind. The Water Strategy states
that two thirds of the payments are made in kind (MIWM, UNDP, EC IFAS 2006: 18). Ac
cording to a senior official of the MinVodKhoz , 70% of ISFs are paid in kind. 238 In those cases,
in which the population pays only the local mirab for his services and does not pay an ISF to
the state, this might be an appropriate system. However, it has negative effects on state water
management, as in kind payments bear additional transaction costs and therefore further im
pair the weak financial situation of the RaiVodKhozes . Also in the case study raion of Aini, ISF is
partially paid in kind. Its collection from the DFs poses a problem; the RaiVodKhoz director
considers poverty and poor harvests to be the main reasons for non payment. 239
Even when considering the positive numbers of more than 50% of payments, it is impor
tant to remember that this means that a decade after the political decision was made, the
reform has not been effectively implemented. One important reason for this is that there are
no effective implementations mechanisms and lacking information on ISF. Many of the far
mers who were interviewed were not aware of the purpose and need for ISF. They did not
know why they are now expected to pay. In many villages that were visited during field re
search, knowledge about ISF was very limited and specifications on the amount they paid
varied among villagers. At some WUAs, also members of the council or even the director were
unsure, how much ISF the members must pay. Finally, violations are usually not prosecuted.
Unlicensed water withdrawal is common. Even when sluices are secured with locks, they are
233 100 dirham = 1 somoni.
234 Author's interview with a senior official of the MinVodKhoz , Dushanbe, 10/10/2003; with a professor at an
academic institute, Dushanbe, 09/07/2004.
235 Author's interview with the vice-minister of the MinVodKhoz , Dushanbe, 10/09/2003.
236 Vice-director of MinVodKhoz , Dushanbe, 10/09/2003: 8-9%; senior official at the MinVodKhoz , Dushanbe,
10/10/2003: until 2000: 15-18%; 2000: over 20%, 2001: 40%, 2002: 56%; senior official at the CFPS, Dushanbe,
10/13/2003: about 50%; director of a RaiVodKhoz , Sughd oblast , 09/01/2003: about 30%; director of the Sughd
OblVodKhoz , Khudjand, 09/02/2004: 50-60%.
237 Author's interview with the director of a RaiVodKhoz , Sughd oblast, 09/01/2003.
238 Author's interview with a senior official of the MinVodKhoz , Dushanbe, 08/20/2004.
239 Author's interview with the director of the RaiVodKhoz , Aini, 08/30/2004.
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