After a long wait, the central government has started working towards a new national policy on water management. After almost a year of consultation, the central government has shared a draft bill with the states to establish a control of the entire water structure, which will pave the way for setting up an integrated water resources management authority in every state.

Dainik Jagran had informed in its January 25 issue that discussions were being held with the states on a proposal to this effect. According to the proposal, the Chief Minister of the states will be the head of this authority and all matters related to water will come under it, which includes measures like maintenance of water resources, their monitoring and improvement in its use in domestic, industrial and agricultural sectors.

Important discussion took place in the meeting of water resources ministers of the states

Such a suggestion was made by the expert committee of the Bureau of Water Use Efficiency of the Central Government last year. The committee had also pointed out the need for the formation of such an authority at the central level so that the work of different ministries and departments related to water could be brought under one roof. No decision has been taken at the central level in this regard yet.

The formation of such an authority was discussed in the meeting of the water resources ministers of the states in January this year. Since water is a state subject, it is not easy to form such an authority at the central level. The authority to be formed in the states will also have the Chief Secretary. This authority will also have to decide the practical structure of water charges for domestic use.

Water recycling is a priority on the agenda

Similarly, another important issue is the use of water in agriculture. Due to its political importance, the states had expressed their concerns in the meeting with the Centre, but in the new national policy, the Central Government is going to make it clear that there should be a long-term thinking towards every kind of use of water. Recycling of 40 percent water in cities has been included on a priority basis in the agenda for the next five years. Similar initiatives are to be taken for rural areas and agriculture as well.

The National Water Policy was last released in 2012

The last National Water Policy was released in 2012. Now the central government is going to clearly underline in the new policy that demand management is of utmost importance. The work of planning, development and management of water resources should be done in an integrated manner and the vision should be equally focused on local, regional, state and national aspects.