Water likely to be driven out from ‘State List’ into Concurrent list : Joint Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources

Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation has begun an exercise to bring in ‘water’ into the ‘concurrent list’ to better manage and regulate India’s water management and there is a political consensus on the matter, according to its Joint Secretary, Mr. Sanjay Kundu.

Addressing a Conference on Water Pollution and Waste Water Treatment under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, the Joint Secretary also disclosed that the Centre has also commenced a process to bring in an exclusive ‘Waste Water Management Policy’ to manage country’s ground water situation which is already reached an alarming level.

“Lot of Parliamentarians and senior level polity have jointly voiced their serious desire and willingness both within and outside Parliament for putting in water into the concurrent list in view of multiple un-resolvable water disputes arising across the country including that of Cauvery dispute.  It is in view of this that the government is contemplating to do the needful so that the scarce water resources are managed well for drinking and other such purposes”, said Mr. Kundu.

He, however, did not specify the time limit to accomplish the intended job barring emphasizing that the Ministry of Water Resources has begun to work on it in consultation with other relevant stakeholders.

On the waste water management policy, Mr. Kundu said that work on it is progressing and not only this legislation would be introduced in the Parliament shortly but also the government of the day would make amendments in five Acts relating to water for which the Ministry has Cabinet approval and include Inter-State Water Dispute Act, National Water Framework Law, Model Ground Water Act and River Basin Management Act.

Earlier speaking on the occasion Additional Secretary & Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga, Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Mr. U P Singh also emphasized the need to reform India’s water sector, pointing out that reforms though have touched many a sector, its time now that India’s water properties go in for similar initiative.

Chairman, Central Water Commission, Mr. G S Jha in his observations laid emphasis on mapping the ground resources of water for their better utilization and water dispensation.

Among others who participated in the Conference consisted of Senior, Vice President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Anil Khaitan; Chairman, Water & Solid Waste Management Committee, PHD Chamber, Mr. Varun Gupta and Director, PHD Chamber, Dr. Ranjeet Mehta.