Question

Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Volumetric method of pricing can be efficiently used in tubewell irrigation.
Statement II: Volumetric method of pricing is not in practice in India.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

• A. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
• B. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
• C. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
• D. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Hint:

Ruminating on water policy: Volumetric pricing is the gold standard for efficiency. It is easily implemented on closed pressurized or pumped systems (like tubewells) but is challenging to install across large, unmetered open canal systems.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Water pricing methods for agriculture are categorized into area-based, crop-based, volumetric, and flat-rate systems.
Volumetric pricing charges users based on the actual volume of water consumed.
While highly efficient for resource conservation, its implementation depends on the infrastructure available to measure water flow.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze both statements:
1. Statement I: Volumetric method of pricing can be efficiently used in tubewell irrigation.
This statement is correct.
In tubewell irrigation systems, water is pumped from groundwater aquifers using mechanical pumps.
The volume of water delivered can be easily measured using water meters, or estimated by multiplying the pump's constant discharge rate by its operating hours.
Because the source is localized and manageable, volumetric pricing can be efficiently implemented.
Therefore, Statement I is true.
2. Statement II: Volumetric method of pricing is not in practice in India.
This statement is incorrect.
While area-based or flat-rate canal water charges are still common in India, volumetric pricing is actively used in several areas.
For example, private tubewell owners frequently sell water to neighboring farmers based on hourly pumping rates (which is a proxy for volume).
Furthermore, several state governments and water cooperatives (such as in Maharashtra and Gujarat) have implemented volumetric pricing in specific canal command areas and micro-irrigation schemes to improve water use efficiency.
Therefore, Statement II is false.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect because volumetric pricing is used in various informal and formal irrigation schemes across India.
Hence, the correct option is (C).