Mr Rawat said that the proposed National Water Framework Law and river basin management Law would be drafted only after extensive consultation with States so that their powers are not curtailed. The minister also proposed consideration of a national policy guidelines for water allocation in the next meeting of the council. The council meeting was attended by several Chief Minisers, Union Ministers and State Ministers.
The policy emphasizes on the concept of basin management to promote integrated resources of water management. It also highlights the need for the conservation of water resources.
Earlier, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, in his inaugural address, called for a judicious management of limited water resources. He said lack of water could become the limiting factor to social and economic growth in future.
Dr. Singh stressed for rising above political, ideological and regional differences for a holistic approach to water management. He said there is a need to take steps to minimise misuse of groundwater by regulating the use of electricity for its extraction. He also stressed on the need to move towards transparent and participatory mechanisms of pricing of water by the primary stakeholders themselves.
On national legal framework on water management, the Prime Minister said, it would pave the way for essential legislation on water governance in every state. He said the framework will be a statement of general principles on water use and the Centre does not intend to encroach in any manner upon the rights of the states.
