Lok Sabha Question No. 1370 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-03
Subject: National Water Framework Bill
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI, OM PRAKASH YADAV, SANTOSH AHLAWAT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES,

## RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1370 ANSWERED ON 03.03.2016

## NATIONAL WATER FRAMEWORK BILL

## 1370. SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARSWATI: SHRI OM PRAKASH YADAV: SHRIMATI SANTOSH AHLAWAT:

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 details and salient features thereof; and (c) the time by which it is likely to be introduced?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION (PROF.SANWAR LAL JAT)

(a)    to  (c)              The  National  Water  Policy  (2012),  adopted  by  the  National  Water  Resources  Council, emphasizes the need to evolve a National Framework Law as an umbrella statement of general principles governing the exercise of legislative and/or executive (or devolved) powers by the Centre, the States and the local governing bodies, and thereby, making the tenets of such a consensual statement justiciable;

A  Drafting  Committee  headed  by  Dr.  Y.K.  Alagh  was  constituted  for  Drafting  National  Water Framework Law on 3rd July, 2012.The Committee for drafting National Water Framework Law submitted its Report to the Government in May, 2013 and the same was placed before the National Forum of Water Resources/Irrigation  Ministers  of  States  for  wider  consultations  at  its  Meeting  held  on  29.05.2013.  The same has also been circulated among all States/Union Territories and related Central Ministries. The same was also placed on the website of the Ministry.

The National Water Framework Bill proposes to establish a framework with governing principles for  protection,  conservation  and  regulation  of  waters  and  for  matters  connected  therewith  and  incidental thereto. The salient features of the draft National Water Framework Bill are at Annexure.

A Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. Mihir Shah has been constituted on 28.12.2015 to examine  the  provisions  of  the  draft  National  Water  Framework  Law  and  suggest  changes/modifications therein taking into account inter-alia the emerging challenges in the water sector, reuse of waste water after treatment, the likely impact of climate change on water resources, importance of river restoration/rejuvenation, water contamination issue etc.

(Annexure referred to in reply to parts (a) to (c) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1370 to be answered on 03.03.2016 regarding 'National Water Framework Bill')

## SALIENT FEATURES OF DRAFT NATIONAL WATER FRAMEWORK BILL

- (1) The draft National Water Framework Bill proposes to establish an umbrella statement of general  principles  governing  the  exercise  of  legislative  and/or  executive  (or  devolved) powers by the Centre, the States and the local governing bodies, which should lead the way for essential legislation on water governance in every State of the Union and devolution of necessary authority to the lower tiers of government to deal with the local water situation.
- (2) It proposes eighteen Basic Principles for Water Management to bring different State legal interventions  within  a  framework  of  governing  principles  and  alignment  of  existing legislations  both  at  the  Central  as  well  as  State  level  to  conform  to  the  principles  and provisions of this Bill.
- (3) It  proposes  that  every  individual  should  have  a  right  to  a  minimum  quantity  of  potable water (not less than 25 litres per capita per day) for essential health and hygiene and within easy reach of the household, which may be provided free of cost to eligible households, being part of pre-emptive need.
- (4) It proposes establishment of an independent statutory Water Regulatory Authority by every State for ensuring equitable access to water for all and its fair pricing on volumetric basis, for drinking and other uses such as sanitation, agricultural and industrial.
- (5) It proposes that all water resources projects conform to the River Basin Master Plan to be prepared, applicable efficiency benchmarks and take into account all social and environmental aspects in addition to techno-economic considerations.
- (6) It proposes that the groundwater be protected, conserved and regulated through appropriate laws  and  by  adequate  and  efficient  measures  using  precautionary  approach,  with  active participation of Community Based Institutions.
- (7) It  proposes  conformance  to  the  Service  Level  Benchmarks  for  water  supply,  sanitation, solid waste management and storm water drainage, as may be prescribed.
- (8) It proposes that Industries either withdraw only the make up water or have an obligation to return  treated  effluent  to  a  specified  standard  back  to  the  hydrologic  system  and  to  file annual 'Water returns'.
- (9) It  proposes  that  the  appropriate  Government  take  all  possible  measures  to  synergise  and integrate  different  development  schemes  including  schemes  for  water  conservation, sanitation and improvement of water quality at Panchayat or Municipality level, as the case may be, and further at sub basin and basin level.
- (10) It proposes that a High Powered Committee be set up at the Centre and in each State for coordination and policy support mechanism between different agencies dealing with water etc.