Shri Rawat reminded the participants of the ever increasing challenges mounting up in water sector. He said today, the per capita water availability is 1545 cubic meter per year. Even to maintain this level of availability, we need to enhance the present water storage capacity as well as we will have to augment the present level of aquifer replenishment. By 2050, India will consume much more water what we are consuming today. Hence, the Central and State Governments and even the municipal and panchayat bodies are duty bound to provide a minimum water security to a common man and the poorest of the poor, may be living far flung deserts, mountains or any nook and corner of the country.
The minister said the present capacity and the storage facilities under construction are not adequate enough to meet the future challenge. Even if we plan to develop the present storage capacity from 253 BCM to 450 BCM, we need not only a massive mobilization of resources but it requires understanding of the enormous challenges for all of us. He said there are local concerns, community concerns as well as the concerns of the States. But water belongs to all. It demands a large hearted planned approach from all of us. Besides this, conservation of water for enhancing the present efficiency level is a must. Enhancement of surface storage capacity, augmentation of aquifer, watershed management of basin and sub-basin and conservation and increasing the water use efficiency is a must.
The minister referred to the Union Cabinet has declaration of Year 2013 as "Water Conservation Year" wherein the ministry will organize Water Awareness Campaign in a big way to sensitise the people about the importance of water and need for its conservation and augmentation. He solicited active support from states in making this Awareness Campaign a grand success.
The Minister said during 14th National Conference of Water Resources, and Irrigation Ministers of States/Union Territories, held on 3.10.2012, a majority of the States attending the Conference, endorsed the idea of formation of a National Forum of Water Resources and Irrigation Ministers of States, which would focus on general water related issues in the country. Such a forum is expected to be the instrument, for sharing of ideas, and facilitating support to new and innovative ideas, for better water governance. In pursuance of this, National Forum has been constituted.
He said the National Forum of Water Resources and Irrigation Ministers of States, shall be a permanent forum, with the provision that half of its Members would retire after every two years, and would be replaced by the Ministers from States/Union Territories, from similar regions in the country.
The minister recalled the course of deliberations in the National Water Resources Council meeting, held on 28th December, 2013, wherein some States had expressed apprehensions, that the Centre is trying to encroach upon the constitutionally guaranteed rights of the States, through proposed legislations and reforms. He said it had been clarified, during the Council meeting, that the Centre does not intend to encroach upon the powers of the State Governments. Shri reassured the states and again reiterated that the Framework Law and the River Basin Management Bill, would be drafted in such a manner, that the rights and powers of the States were not curtailed in any manner. These laws would be finalized, only after having threadbare deliberations and consensus. I had also proposed that draft National Policy Guidelines, for allocation of water amongst States, would be brought before the next meeting of the Council, incorporating suggestions made by the various States, the minister added.
Shri Rawat expressed happiness on the inclusion of these issues in the agenda notes for this meeting. He expressed the hope that forum will facilitate a constructive approach, to evolve a unified national perspective, as key water sector reform issues, based on consensus, rising above political and regional differences, for the larger good of the nation.
Later, the three experts called for the forum gave a presention on :
i) Integrated Water Resources Development and Management, and the relevance of River Basin Organizations.
ii) Evolution of National Policy Guidelines for sharing/ distribution of water amongst States.
iii) The need for National Water Framework Law.
The meeting was chaired by Minister of Water Resources, Government of Rajasthan, Shri Hema Ram Choudhary, Ministers of Water Resources and Irrigation Departments of the State Governments, Dr. Y.K. Alagh, Shri M. Gopalakrishnan, Shri R.S. Prasad and Senior Officers from Central/ State Governments.
