(a) whether the National Water Resources Council held a meeting under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister in April, 2002;
(b) if so, the broad features of the deliberations held and the
decisions arrived at;
(c) whether the Chief Minsters of Southern States have conveyed their
consent to the adoption of National Water Policy;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether any emphasis has been laid on the constitution of River
Basin Organisations; and
(f) if so, the details thereof ?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES (SMT. BIJOYA CHAKRAVARTY)
(a) to (d) Yes, Sir. The fifth meeting of the National Water
Resources Council (NWRC), wherein the Chief Ministers of all the States
and Union Territories are members, was held under the Chairmanship of
Hon’ble Prime Minister on 1st April, 2002 to consider the draft revised
National Water Policy. The Chief Ministers of Southern States were
represented by their respective Ministers dealing with water
resources/irrigation. The Revised National Water Policy, with certain
modifications made in light of the views expressed and suggestions made
by the members of the Council, was adopted and a Resolution to this
effect was unanimously passed by the Council. The Policy, interalia
envisages that each State should formulate its own State Water Policy
backed with an operational action plan in a time bound manner within a
period of two years and implement the same in order to achieve the
desired objectives as laid down in the policy.
(e) & (f) The National Water Policy recognizes river basin/ sub-basin
as a basic unit for the development of water resources in the country.
For the integrated water resources development and management, the
National Water Policy provides that “appropriate River Basin
Organisations should be established for planned development and
management of a river basin as a whole or sub-basins, wherever
necessary. Special multi-disciplinary units should be set up to prepare
comprehensive plans taking into account not only the needs of
irrigation but also harmonizing various other water uses, so that the
available water resources are determined and put to optimum use having
regard to existing agreements or awards of Tribunals under the relevant
laws. The scope and powers of River Basin Organisations shall be
decided by the basin States themselvesâ€.