(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?
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 28th 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
(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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