Lok Sabha Question No. 1200 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-09
Subject: National Water Framework Bill
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: UDIT RAJ

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1200

ANSWERED ON 09.02.2017

## NATIONAL WATER FRAMEWORK BILL

1200.        DR. UDIT RAJ

Will  the  Minister  of  WATER  RESOURCES,  RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND  GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to introduce a National Water Framework Bill;
- (b) if so, the salient features thereof; and
- (c) the time by which it is likely to be introduced in the House?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND

GANGA REJUVENATION

(DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a)  to  (c)  Yes,  Madam.  A  Committee  constituted  by  this  Ministry  on  28.12.2015  under  the

Chairmanship of Dr. Mihir Shah has suggested draft National water Framework Bill, 2016. The salient features of the draft National Water Framework Bill, 2016 are

annexed.

The draft  Bill  has  been  circulated  to  all  the  States/Union  Territories  and  the  concerned  Central Ministries for obtaining their comments. However, only a few States have responded so far. States such as Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have agreed with certain amendments to the Bill whereas, States such as Punjab and Tamil Nadu have not agreed to this Bill.

Recently,  Secretary  of  this  Ministry  vide  D.O.  letter  dated  20.01.2017  has  communicated  the benefits of National Water Framework Law (NWFL) to the Chief Secretaries of all States/UTs and

requested them to support the Bill.

Introduction  of  the  Bill  in  the  Parliament  is  subject  to  the  concurrence/support  of  the  State Governments/UTs.

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## (Annexure referred to in reply to Parts (a) to (c) of the Unstarred Question No.1200 to be answered on 09.02.2016 in the Lok Sabha regarding 'National Water Framework Bill') SALIENT FEATURES OF DRAFT NATIONAL WATER FRAMEWORK BILL, 2016 *******

The draft National Water Framework Bill, 2016 seeks to provide an overarching national legal framework based on principles for protection, conservation, regulation and management of water as a vital and stressed natural resource, under which legislation and executive action on water at all levels of governance can take place.

2. The Bill proposes that every individual should have a right to sufficient quantity of safe water for life within easy reach based on the principles of integrated river basin management. The States shall hold water resources as a Common Heritage and Public Trust .

3. The draft Bill proposes that the appropriate government shall strive towards rejuvenating river systems with community participation, ensuring:

- (a) 'Aviral  Dhara'  -  continuous  flow  in  time  and  space  including  maintenance  of connectivity of flow in each river system;
- (b) 'Nirmal Dhara' - unpolluted flow so that the quality of river waters is not adversely affected by human activities; and
- (c) 'Swachh Kinara' - clean and aesthetic river banks with ecological integrity.

4. It  proposes  that  the  appropriate  government  shall  take  all  measures  to  protect  the ecological  integrity  necessary  to  sustain  eco-systems  dependent  on  water  and    should  adopt people-centered decentralized water management, for both surface and ground water, including local  rainwater  harvesting,  watershed  development  and  participatory  irrigation  management, shall be prioritized, while recognizing, encouraging and empowering local initiatives.

5. It proposes that the appropriate Government shall take into consideration the following:
2. (a) Water Use and Land Use
3. (b) Appropriate Treatment and Use of Wastewater
4. (c) Standards for Water Quality and Water Footprints
5. (d) Water Use Prioritization.

Provided that these uses of water are consistent with the objective of sustaining aquifers and eco-system indispensable to long term sustenance of the resource.

6. The draft Bill lays high priority to Integrated River Basin Development and Management, wherein a river basin, including associated aquifers, shall be considered as the basis hydrological unit  for  planning,  development  and  management  of  water.    Each  State  Government  shall develop, manage and regulate basins of inter-State rivers through a River Basin Master Plan to be implemented by an appropriate institutional mechanism.

7. It proposes establishment of a River Basin Authority for each inter-State river basin for optimum  and  sustainable  development  of  the  inter-State  rivers  and  river  valleys,  with  active participation  and  cooperation  by  all  basin  States  to  ensure  equitable,  sustainable  and  efficient utilisation  of  water  resources  with  emphasis  on  demand  management  through  conjunctive  and integrated  use  of  resources.    Each  River  Basin  Authority  shall  prepare  a  Master  Plan  for  the River Basin.

8. The  Bill  also  proposes  that  the  appropriate  Government  shall  prepare  and  oversee  the implementation of a Water Security Plan for (a) attainment of sufficient quantity of safe water for  life  and  sustainable  livelihoods  by  every  person;  and  (b)  ensuring  water  security  even  in times of emergencies like droughts and floods.

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