{Article} Polity: Achievement of Water Resource Ministry in 2012

Draft National Water Policy (2012) Released for Comments: In pursuance of the strategies identified in National Water Mission Document as well as deliberations in National Water Board, Ministry of Water Resources had initiated the process of reviewing the National Water Policy, 2002. The Draft National Water Policy (2012) inter-alia recommends that for the pre-emptive and high priority uses of water for sustaining life and ecosystem for ensuring food security and supporting livelihood for the poor, the principle of differential pricing may have to be retained. The Draft National Water Policy (2012) recommends that there is a need for comprehensive legislation for optimum development of inter-State rivers and river valleys to facilitate inter-State coordination ensuring scientific planning of land and water resources taking basin/sub-basin as unit with unified perspectives of water in all its forms (including precipitation, soil moisture, ground and surface water) and ensuring holistic and balanced development of both the catchment and the command areas.
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has conducted 13 conjunctive use studies for optimal utilization of Ground Water in various irrigation commands in the country. These are: [1.] Indira Gandhi Nahar Paryojna (stage 1&2), RJ; [2.] Sarda Sahayak Irrigation Project, UP; [3.] Tungabhadra Canal Command Area, AP&KR; [4.] Ghataprabha Canal Command Area, KR; [5.] Hirakud Canal Command Area, OR; [6.] Mahi-Kadana Canal Command Area, GJ; [7.] Nagarjuna Sagar Project, AP; [8.] Kosi Canal Command Area, BR; [9.] Gandak Canal Command, BR; [10.] Sriram Sagar Canal Command Area, AP; [11.] Western Yamuna Canal Command Area, HR; [12.] Rushikulia Canal Command Area, OR.
Inter linking of Rivers: The examination of Supreme Court Order of dated 27th February, 2012 directing the Ministry of Water Resources to forthwith constitute a committee to be called ‘Special Committee for Inter-linking of Rivers’ is underway. The Supreme Court in the order mentioned that “time is a very material factor in the effective execution of the Interlinking of Rivers project. As pointed out in the Report by NCAER and by the Standing Committee, the delay has adversely affected the financial benefits that could have accrued to the concerned parties and the people at large and is in fact now putting a financial strain on all concerned”. The initial cost of the Inter Linking projects assessed at prefeasibility stage was Rs.5.60 Lakh crore at 2002 Price Level.
India Water Week (Inaugurated on April, 10th) to be celebrated as Annual International Event: The Ministry of Water Resources since this year has endeavoured to celebrate India Water Week annually as an international event to focus on water issues. As a part of the event, besides the technical and special sessions, there would also be an exhibition to focus on the various aspects of the main theme.
The vision for Integrated Water Resources Development & Management, proposed by the Ministry of Water Resources in 2003 inter-alia stipulates to add an additional irrigation potential of 20 million ha. in the next 15 years to meet the food and fibre requirements for a projected population of 1200 million by 2015 and 1600 million by 2050, ensuring food security.
Central Ground Water Board has taken up pilot projects on aquifer mapping during the 12th FYP, which will lead to more accurate assessment of ground water resources, defining aquifer geometry and potential including water quality. It will provide better insight for ground water management. However, it has not been linked to water pricing by the primary or any category of water user/ stakeholders. Pilot projects on aquifer mapping have been taken up in parts of five States namely BR, KR, MH, RJ & TN. Central Ground Water Board under Ministry of Water Resources signed a contract with Council of Scientific Industrial Research – National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI) to implement the pilot project on “Aquifer characterization using advanced geophysical techniques in representative hydrogeological terrains of India”. Minister of Water Resources released Atlas for six states viz KL, TN, KR, CG, HP and ML (Meghalaya) in New Delhi on September 28, 2012. Central Ground Water Board has generated enormous data on various aspects of ground water since its inception; the same has been compiled and integrated to bring out the publication in the form of atlas entitled “Aquifer systems of India.”
The Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure (CCI) approved the inclusion of Extension, Renovation & Modernization (ERM) projects envisaging restoration of lost potential of 2lakh ha. or more under the category of National Projects. It also approved the inclusion of "Sarayu Nahar Pariyojana" of Uttar Pradesh in the scheme of National projects. Under the scheme of National Projects, such projects would become eligible for 90% funding of the cost of works of the irrigation and drinking water components of the project from the Central Government.
Water Resource Management: Keeping in view the possibility of delay in the onset of monsoon and also uneven spatial distribution which may result in some areas getting less than normal rainfall, the Ministry of Water Resources issued an advisory in July 2012 to the States/ UTs requesting them inter-alia to make judicious use of available water in the reservoirs and to use ground water to meet the situation to the extent necessary. Water being a State subject, the State Governments have the competence to consider hiking the water tariff for irrigation and urban water supply systems.
The 7th meeting of the Cauvery River Authority was held today under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister. Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Puducherry were among the attendees. Kerala was represented by the Minister of Water Resources. In the meeting, the States raised the problems being faced by them because of less than expected rainfall and the consequent distress being caused to the farmers in the Cauvery basin. After discussion, and based on the principle that distress needs to be shared among the basin States, the Prime Minister ruled that it was appropriate that Karnataka releases 9,000 cusecs of water daily from 20th September to 15th October 2012. However, it has been releasing 10,000 cusecs daily from 12th Sept on the directions of the Supreme Court.
The 1st meeting of India-Nepal Joint Ministerial Commission on Water (JMCWR) held on 15th February 2012. During the 1st meeting, JMCWR recommended that the maintenance of 15 Km length of eastern Kosi embankment presently being maintained by the Government of Nepal, may also be taken up by the Government of India. In addition, Sapta Kosi High Dam Multipurpose Project on river Kosi in Nepal, is planned, which on implementation will also mitigate floods due to Kosi river. Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Project is scheduled to be completed by February, 2013.
In pursuance to the decision taken at the first meeting of the India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission (JCC), the first meeting of the Sub-Group on Tipaimukh Hydroelectric Project under the India-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission was held in New Delhi in August, 2012. During the meeting, India restated its offer to Bangladesh to take a stake in the Tipaimukhproject and in this context handed over the Detailed Project Report to the Bangladesh delegation. India also reiterated the assurance, given at the highest level, that it would not take steps on the Tipaimukh project that would adversely impact on Bangladesh.