Mihir Shah Committee (A 21st century Institutional Architecture for India’s Water Reforms)

The expert committee headed by Dr. Mihir Shah was tasked with the responsibility of assessing the performance of Central Water Commission (CWC) and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). The committee submitted its report July, 2016.

  • The Committee recommended that the CWC and CGWB should be restructured and unified to form a new National Water Commission (NWC). It reasoned that a unified body will help in the collective management of ground and surface water. The NWC will be responsible for water policy, data and governance in the country. It should be an adjunct office of the Ministry of Water Resources and function with full autonomy.
  • The basic functions of NWC would include –
    • Incentivize state governments to implement irrigation projects in reform mode,
    • Lead the national aquifer mapping and ground water management program,
    • Develop a location specific program for rejuvenation of rivers, etc.
  • The committee recommended that the NWC should have 8 divisions to perform varied functions like –
    • Irrigation Reform Division: This division will assist states to focus on irrigation projects and improve water management.

Central Water Commission

The CWC is responsible for coordinating with states for the implementation of schemes for the conservation and utilisation of water resources.

Central Ground Water Board

The CGWB is responsible for assessment of ground water resources and implementation of policies for its sustainable management.

  • River Rejuvenation Division: This division will help participatory institutions at various levels to implement region-specific programs for rejuvenation of rivers.
  • Aquifer Mapping and Participatory Ground Water Management Division: This division will lead the National Aquifer Management Programme for mapping and management of aquifer systems in the country. To facilitate its implementation, it will build relationships with state ground water departments, research institutions, etc. It will also assess and estimate ground water resources at the national level.
  • Water Security Division: This division will devise policies and programs to tackle challenges related to water security. These include: (i) ensuring the right to water for life, and (ii) protecting the agrarian economy from the impact of floods and droughts.
  • Urban and Industrial Water Division: This division will help devise cost-effective and appropriate technology to recycle and reuse urban and industrial waste water. It will also map aquifers in urban India and develop strategies for sustainable ground water management in cities.
  • Water Quality Division: This division will develop and implement programs to control pollution of water bodies and aquifers.
  • Water Data Management and Transparency Division: This division will create and maintain a transparent and accessible system of data management on water for public use.
  • Knowledge Management and Capacity Building Division: This division will be responsible for development of institutions for capacity building of water professionals in water and land management.
  • Other important recommendation of the commission included – decentralization of river management, irrigation management transfer to water user association of farmers, etc.

Conclusion

There are more than 400 small-medium rivers in India; these rivers from time immemorial have helped in harboring civilization and they continue to do so. Hence additional measures like creating awareness about the importance of rivers, adopting river-friendly technologies, ensuring minimum flow, etc. must be taken by the state thereby letting ‘rivers flow’ unhindered.


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