GROUP 1NATIONAL POLICY

ANALYSIS

NATIONAL WATER POLICY (2012) DRAFT

GROUP MEMBERS• Ms Shweta Yadav• Sri Mahender Singh• Ms Karamjeet Kaur• Sri Sanjay Tewari• Ms Anju Ravi Kumar• Sri Nitiin Kumar Jaiman• Sri Ankit Mishra• Sri Sukhdeep singh• Ms Vidhya C• Ms Dhanya Sanal

NATIONAL WATER POLICY (2012) DRAFT

INTRODUCTION

WATER – fundamental to life

In INDIA,

Only 4 % of worlds renewable water resources

17 % world population

STAKEHOLDERS COMMUNITY 1.Families affected, i.e. who suffer loss of

land, house and sustenance livelihood . 2.Families benefitted as a result of the project.

Water user associations.

State as the implementing agency particularly the states sharing the water bodies.

CONTD…•International community, mainly the neighbouring countries who share certain water bodies with us.

•Our generation as well as the future generation.

•Other species or the forms of life who share water with us on this planet.

ELEMENTS • It lays emphasis on need for national water

framework law.• For essential health & hygiene and sustenance of

ecology ensured.• Presents the ecological need (low or no flows, small

floods (freshets), large floods and flow variability) of the river.

• A portion of river flows should be kept aside to meet ecological needs.

• It recognizes the need to adapt to climate change scenario in planning and implementation of water resources projects.

CONTD….

• Reversal of heavy under-pricing of electricity, which leads to wasteful use of both electricity and water.

• All hydrological data should be in public domain. • Setting up of a National Water Informatics Centre.• A forum at the national level to deliberate upon issues

relating to water.• A similar mechanism within each State and also

between different parts of the State to amicably resolve differences.

Implementation aspects of water policy

Classification of water as economic good; Water pricing issues; Efficiency benchmarks must be incorporated ; Water projects planning must incorporate the

social and environmental aspects; Delays in the projects implementation; Issue of compliance and monitoring; Gap between the potential created and utilized; Inclusion of local bodies and their capacity

building;

CONTD…..• Water as an economic good (in case of urban water

supply, industrial and commercial uses);• Water pricing- in terms of water tax, special tax, user

charges;To address the sustainability issue of water use;To correct the market failure (market fails due to the

absence of price signals);To recover the costs and demand management of

water use;To re-allocation from low value-added use to high

value-added use;

Policy stance on water pricing

Differential pricing system (depending upon the elasticity of water use or users );

Setting up of water regulatory authority in each state;

Setting up of water users associations; Incentivize the recycle and reuse of the water;Tradable water use rights by creating water

markets;Coordination with other price system like

electricity pricing;

PUBLIC GOOD

• Addresses issue of low public consciousness• Safe drinking water• Water quality and basic needs• Talks about climate change• Improved agricultural techniques• Community and stake holder participation• Encourages innovation and data collection• Setting up of national forum• International agreements

MERITS Address most of the major concerns Holistic & inter – disciplinary approach Need for comprehensive legislation Broader view of importance of water Encourages climate change mitigation measures & community

participation Pragmatic in its approach Better transparency & accountability Ample use of technologies Reducing rural – urban disparities Water dispute tribunal International agreements

1. PENALTY ON WASTAGE?2. MEANS TO CHECK WASTAGE?3. CRITERIA FOR ALLOCATION FOR

COMPETING USES?4. ON THE QUESTION OF ECONOMIC

GOOD.

INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Singapore – on the basis of emphasis on supply and demand management.

U.S. – pre treatment program in mid – atlantic region.

China – community based rainwater harvesting water treatment technologies.

Africa – GIS system.

Some Additions +++…… Integration with Climate Resilient Agricultural Practices

Specific reference to Mapping and Revitalizing Small and dried up rivulets

Single window clearance for projects related to water resource

Promoting Public Private Partnerships in watershed management projects (CSR Projects by Corporates)

Integrated Action plan for Water supply and Pollution Control of water bodies in urban areas

Encouragement and promotion of the indigenous and eco-ethical practices of communities in conserving water as resource

CONTD… Utilization of Recycled water for recharging groundwater - RSNH

Bharatpur (Bioremediation)

Clear cut Demarcation of Responsibilities of Local Self Governments and commensurate transfer of Financial and Legal Powers

Encouraging innovation at local level in water conservation