National Water Policy 2012

The first National Water Policy adopted in 1987, which was later revised in 2002 and 2012. The National Water Policy was revised in 2012 to address issues such as rapid growth in demand for water due to rise in population, urbanization and changing lifestyle, inadequate water governance, unsustainable exploitation of groundwater, water related disputes, inefficient management of irrigation infrastructure etc.

The salient features of national water policy, 2012 are as follows –

• Emphasis on the need for a national water framework law, comprehensive legislation for optimum development of inter-State rivers and river valleys.
• Determining the ecological needs of the rivers based on the flow of rivers. A portion of river flows should be kept aside to meet ecological needs of the river.
• 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.
• Setting up of Water Regulatory Authority has been recommended. Incentivization of recycle and re-use has been recommended.
• 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.
• Removal of large disparity in stipulations for water supply in urban areas and in rural areas has been recommended.
• Water resources projects and services should be managed with community participation. Private sector can be encouraged to become a service provider in public private partnership model to meet agreed terms of service delivery.
• 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.

Possibilities and Prospects

• As Water is a State subject, steps for improving, conservation and efficient management of water resources are undertaken by the respective State Governments. The Central Government provides technical and financial assistance to them through various schemes and programmes. Under the 2012 Policy, the government has started various schemes such as Atal Mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation, Jal Jeevan Mission, Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Atal Bhujal Scheme, Swajal Scheme, which have largely been successful improving water security in the country.
• However, not much progress has been witnessed in adaption and accounting of climate change in water crisis, governance reforms, integrated water resources management, development of River basin organizations, pollution in water bodies, etc. The review of the National Water Policy must address these challenges. It must recognize the limits to endlessly increasing water supply and shift towards quality supply and water demand management.