critique of national water policy

1. Critique on the Water Policy Draft

2. Assimilation of the Policy
• Consultation from governmental institution.
• Inputs from international regulatory bodies.
• Inputs from water policies of other countries
such as france etc.
• Feedback of the seminars and forums
conducted for the same purpose.
– Included both private and public sector.
– NGO contribution was also present.

3. Water primarily as an economic good
• Instead of fundamental right, it is promoted to
be sold and bought.
• Reason
– It works directly with government, office holders.
– Lack of public awareness

4. Changes from previous version
• Priorities are done away with.
– Argument given for this
• They were creating confusion.
• Agriculture and industrialization are relative.
• The location adds to the subjectivity.

5. Pros
• Prioritization of the ecosystem requirements.
• Recycling of water is incentivized.
• Water use efficiency improvement is stressed.
– Through waste water treatment and re-use
– Through better supply for irrigation and industrial
purposes.

6. Cons
• Not much emphasis on the fundamental right
concept.
– Despite our international stand expressed.
– Does mention about “pre-emptive priority”.
• No mention of specific standards or guidelines to
mandate it.
• No legal mechanisms to ensure accountability
and effectiveness.

7. • No mention of need to have comprehensive
resource mapping to water management unit.
– For water planning based on reliable data.
– To make informed decisions.
• Need to have a conducive regulatory and
institutional framework is ignored.
– Along with specifications of technical and financial
strengths to do the same.
– As well as mechanism to enforce them considering
aspects of autonomy, state control etc.

8. • Confusion over adoption
of the approaches
– Talks about national
perspective
– Talks about basic level
planning
– Reconciliation is not
addressed.
• It fails to recognize the
inter-relationships with
other policies.
– Possibility of
contradictions
– Conflicts of interest

9. Suggestions
• Changes should be
made to vest the power
in individuals and local communities.
• Preparedness for Floods and Droughts.
– Inclusion of planning for response to crisis.
• Supply chain, transportation, treatment etc.
• Need to initiate a dialogue on water credits.
– On the lines of carbon credits
– Later develop on it through proper mechanism.

10. • Examples for implementation of policies can be adopted
from existing systems.
– Pani panchayat in maharashtra
– Gram gaurav pratisthan
– Forest revival and water harvesting by Tarun Bharat Sangh.
Examples from
other countries can
also be studied and
modified to suit our
system.
– Murray Darling River
Basin Organization,
Australia

11. Some more suggestions…
• More awareness through education.
• Effective ground water regulation programs for
ground water dependent communities.
• National policy is silent about pollution due to
fertilizers etc.
• Water pricing should also be discussed
thoroughly and regulated.