Question : WATER RESOURCE POLICY

(a) whether the State Government of Orissa has formed its Water Resource Policy on the line of National Water Policy;

(b) if so, whether the State Government of Orissa and the Union Government have drawn up a Master Plan, as a part of the National Water Policy, for control and management of the flood prone rivers viz. Mahanadi, Bramhani, Baitarani and Rusikulya in Orissa; and

(c) if so, the steps taken by the Union Government for effective implementation of the plan and funds allocated for the purpose during the current financial year?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES

(SMT. BIJOYA CHAKRAVARTY)

(a) Yes sir. The State Government of Orissa has drawn up a State Water Policy on the line of National Water Policy, 1987.

(b) Govt. of Orissa has prepared Delta Development Plan of Mahanadi Delta Command Area in October 1989 which also includes Drainage Development Plan of Mahanadi Delta Area. The Plan inter-alia envisages raising & strengthening of embankments, river training works; construction and improvement of link, secondary and outfall drains; tidal/flood regulation facilities and embanking of drains where necessary. However, State Govt. has not submitted any Master Plan to Ministry of Water Resources in respect of Bramhani, Baitarani and Rusikulya.

( c) Water resources development and flood management schemes are investigated, planned and executed by the State Governments as per their priority and availability of funds.