A Two days Annual Conference of Principal Secretaries/Secretaries
Irrigation, Water Resources and Command Area Development of States/Union
Territories began here today in New Delhi. The Annual Conference is
arranged with the objective of having interaction with State Government
representatives regarding various schemes being implemented in the State
Sector with the assistance from Central Government. The various issues
and the difficulties faced by State Governments with respect to these
schemes are deliberated to find out the solutions and strategies to
ensure successful implementation of the Schemes.
Secretary (Water Resources), Dr. S.K. Sarkar, while welcoming the participants in his opening remarks emphasised that the new National Water Policy 2012 and the XII Five Year Plan document have called for Integrated Water Resources Planning at the Basin Level, Conservation of Water, Recharging of Aquifers and their sustainable management as also improvement in Water Use Efficiency. He stated that there is a need for a paradigm shift in our approach towards water resources development which has to be more multi disciplinary and participatory.
It was also pointed out that the objective of achieving improvement in water use efficiency by 20% as highlighted under National Water Mission is a challenging task. To achieve this objective, all the stakeholders have to work jointly and provide full support and cooperation. Another issue highlighted was the big difference in irrigation potential created and irrigation potential being utilized.
In order to narrow the gap between the potential created and utilized, the need of having systemic improvement and water sector reforms was emphasised upon. The move towards transparent and participatory mechanism in development of water resources in the country, with the active involvement of local community in the management of water resources, needs to be taken forward. Secretary (WR) also stressed the requirement of building capacities of various levels of officers from the Centre as well as the States engaged in implementation of Water Resources Projects. He expressed the hope that all the implementation and policy issues will be discussed in a comprehensive manner and the conference will come out with reasoned suggestions in the overall interest of the sector.
A presentation on the XII Plan proposals for the Water Sector was also made by Advisor, Planning Commission. Special Secretary, Water Resources and Joint Secretary (Administration), MoWR also spoke on the occasion. The two days conference will deliberate on the Schemes in five groups for having focussed and detailed deliberations.
Secretary (Water Resources), Dr. S.K. Sarkar, while welcoming the participants in his opening remarks emphasised that the new National Water Policy 2012 and the XII Five Year Plan document have called for Integrated Water Resources Planning at the Basin Level, Conservation of Water, Recharging of Aquifers and their sustainable management as also improvement in Water Use Efficiency. He stated that there is a need for a paradigm shift in our approach towards water resources development which has to be more multi disciplinary and participatory.
It was also pointed out that the objective of achieving improvement in water use efficiency by 20% as highlighted under National Water Mission is a challenging task. To achieve this objective, all the stakeholders have to work jointly and provide full support and cooperation. Another issue highlighted was the big difference in irrigation potential created and irrigation potential being utilized.
In order to narrow the gap between the potential created and utilized, the need of having systemic improvement and water sector reforms was emphasised upon. The move towards transparent and participatory mechanism in development of water resources in the country, with the active involvement of local community in the management of water resources, needs to be taken forward. Secretary (WR) also stressed the requirement of building capacities of various levels of officers from the Centre as well as the States engaged in implementation of Water Resources Projects. He expressed the hope that all the implementation and policy issues will be discussed in a comprehensive manner and the conference will come out with reasoned suggestions in the overall interest of the sector.
A presentation on the XII Plan proposals for the Water Sector was also made by Advisor, Planning Commission. Special Secretary, Water Resources and Joint Secretary (Administration), MoWR also spoke on the occasion. The two days conference will deliberate on the Schemes in five groups for having focussed and detailed deliberations.
