Lok Sabha Question No. 1888 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-10
Subject: Review of National Water Policy, 2012
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: CHHOTELAL

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †1888

ANSWERED ON 10.12.2015

## REVIEW OF NATIONAL WATER POLICY, 2012

†1888.     SHRI CHHOTE LAL

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

- (a) the salient features of the National Water Policy, 2012 along with achievements made there under so far;
- (b) whether all the States and UTs have given positive response towards it and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to review the existing policy; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof including the time schedule fixed in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION

(PROF. SANWAR LAL JAT)

- (a) & (b) The draft National Water Policy, 2012 was finalized after detailed consultations with various stakeholders including State Governments/UTs.    The Draft National Water Policy, 2012 was adopted by the National Water Resources Council (NWRC) comprising Chief Ministers/Administrators  etc.  of  all  States/UTs  as  Members,  at  its  Meeting  held  on  28 th December, 2012. The Salient Features of the National Water Policy, 2012 are annexed.

The National Water Policy, 2012 and a Roadmap for implementation of the Policy have been forwarded to all the States/Union Territories and the concerned Central Ministries/ Departments for appropriate action.

- (c) No, Madam. There is presently no proposal to review the National Water Policy, 2012.
- (d) Does not arise, in view of reply to part (c) above.

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(Annexure referred to in reply to Parts (a) & (b) of the Unstarred Question No. †1888 to be answered  on  10.12.2015  in  the  Lok  Sabha  regarding  'Review  of  National  Water  Policy, 2012')

## SALIENT FEATURES OF NATIONAL WATER POLICY (2012)

1. Emphasis on the need for a national water framework law, comprehensive legislation for optimum development of inter-State rivers and river valleys.
2. Water,  after  meeting  the  pre-emptive  needs  for  safe  drinking  water  and  sanitation, achieving  food  security,  supporting  poor  people  dependent  on  agriculture  for  their livelihood  and  high  priority  allocation  for  minimum  eco-system  needs,  be  treated  as economic good so as to promote its conservation and efficient use.
3. Ecological  needs  of  the  river  should  be  determined  recognizing  that  river  flows  are characterized by low or no flows, small floods (freshets), large floods and flow variability and should accommodate development needs. A portion of river flows should be kept aside to  meet  ecological  needs  ensuring  that  the  proportional  low  and  high  flow  releases correspond in time closely to the natural flow regime.
4. Adaptation strategies in view of climate change  for designing  and management of water resources structures and review of acceptability criteria has been emphasized.
5. A system to evolve benchmarks for water uses for different purposes, i.e., water footprints, and water auditing be developed to ensure efficient use of water. Project financing has been suggested as a tool to incentivize efficient & economic use of water.
6. Setting  up  of  Water  Regulatory  Authority  has  been  recommended.  Incentivization  of recycle and re-use has been recommended.
7. Water Users Associations should be given statutory powers to collect and retain a portion of water charges, manage the volumetric quantum of water allotted to them and maintain the distribution system in their jurisdiction.
8. Removal of large disparity in stipulations for water supply in urban areas and in rural areas has been recommended.
9. Water resources projects and services should be  managed with community participation. Wherever the State Governments or local governing bodies so decide, the private sector can  be  encouraged  to  become  a  service  provider  in  public  private  partnership  model  to meet agreed terms of service delivery, including penalties for failure.
10. Adequate  grants  to  the  States  to  update  technology,  design  practices,  planning  and management practices, preparation of annual water balances and accounts for the site and basin,  preparation  of  hydrologic  balances  for  water  systems,  and  benchmarking  and performance evaluation etc.

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