The government should immediately initiate a detailed investigation of basic information for all tanks in Tamil Nadu as well as the country as a whole. Further, a periodic desiltation and strengthening of tank infrastructure should be undertaken as routine process. Also legislation should be enacted (for eviction of encroachers and punishing illegal water users), legal measures tightened and powers given to revenue authorities along with the local tank organisation to undertake maintenance and management of the tank system effectively. Care must be taken that these legal measures do not affect inter-departmental functions and that these laws actually help the authorities concerned to improve tank efficiency.
