Needed, a National Water Policy & Law





India, with 18% of the world's population and 4% of its water resources, is clearly a water-stressed nation. Constitutionally , water is a state subject. But after two consecutive deficient monsoons, the need for a national framework law on water is an idea whose time has come. A central law is needed to bring coherence and force to largely uncoordinated and ad-hoc water policy. True, several states have enacted laws on water and related issues. Yet, states tend to have varied legal positions and perceptions, say , on riparian water use and ownership.None of the concerned states, for example, have laws or executive notifications specifying the basis for water allocation among different segments of river basins in their jurisdic tion. Hence the need for national consen sus on water, complete with attendant rules, tenets and principles that can ap ply across states and regions. The rules of allocation and entitlement must be made and revised through a transparent pro cess nationally . Besides, polluted rivers and other water sources call for focused policy attention. Water policy has ecological implications, and the concerns on climate change require national action.So does integrated inland water transport.
Consider, for instance, our rising groundwater use, which is plain unsustainable. It has led to dropping water tables and depleting aquifers. Perverse incentives like free power have meant that groundwater now accounts for over 50% of the irrigated area. Also, 80% of domestic water supply in India now comes from groundwater and primarily as a coping mechanism, given the widespread mismanagement and ill-maintenance of piped water supply . The fast-growing urban population compounds the problem. The bottom line is that there's overarching need for a national water law.
Source: Economic Times, 30-11-2015