Modification in National Water Policy

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. Over and above these uses, water should increasingly be subjected to allocation and pricing on economic principles.

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.

The Draft National Water Policy (2012) was circulated amongst all States/UTs for comments. This Policy, after some modifications, was considered by the National Water Board comprising of Chief Secretaries of all States and Secretaries of related Union Ministries at its Meeting held on 7th June, 2012. The Draft National Water Policy (2012) has been further revised as per deliberations in the National Water Board meeting.