WATER POLICIES IN

INDIA
Presented By-
Anwesa Dutta 007
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 Chronology of events in the
evolution of the Government Water
Policies in India

Image Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/hc-to-govt-submit-recommendations-for-raj-water-policy/articleshow/56674103.cms 2

 The government is given the main role in the
1866 irrigation and development

•By the states

•Policies of British era focused more on the commercial aspect
•Classified agricultural work as commercial

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 Central government transferred irrigation to
1935 the states governments
•Control to states
•Centre intervened only where there was a dispute

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 Beginning of the planned development
1950

Second irrigation commission report

1972
•Bengal famine of 1943
•Water development
•Era of planned development Era of development in irrigation facility
•After 40 years of independence, no serious attempt was made to formulate
policy guidelines
•No well documented water policy until 1987
•Certain policy guidelines on flood control existed 5
 The Rashtriya Barh Ayog (National Commission on Floods ) submitted its report
1980

Formulation of NWRC (National Water Resource Council)

1986

National Water Policy (1987) finalized in the first meeting of NWRC

1987

•Formation of NWRC chaired by the Prime Minister and supported by

National Water Board
•1987- State would also support the National Water Policy

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 • Modified draft of National Water Policy Allocation among states, circulated to the states
1994

• Water sector review by the GOI and World Bank

1998

• Second meeting of NWRC considered water allocation and river basin authorities
1999

• Report of the National Commission on integrated water development

1999

• Water vision by India Water Partnership

2000

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2002
National water Policy (2002)
Features
•Incorporation of Integrated Water Resource Management
•River basin management was emphasized
•Water is a scarce and precious natural resource
•Excess use of groundwater is detrimental to the environment
•Industries discharging wastes
Water allocation priorities
•Drinking water
•Irrigation
•Hydro-power
•Ecology
•Agro-industries and non-agricultural industries
•Navigation and other uses
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 National water Policy (2012)
2012
Features
•To ensure sustainable and equitable development to combat climate change
•Safe water for drinking and sanitation
•Planning and management of water resource structures
•Water pricing
•Management of flood and drought
Critics
•No allocation priorities
•Does not focus on the reduction of water pollution
•Does not follow polluter pay principle, rather it gives incentives for effluent
treatment.
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References
◦ https://www.academia.edu/3343464/Water_policies_and_legal_framework_in_India
◦ http://mowr.gov.in/sites/default/files/NWP2012Eng6495132651_1.pdf
◦ https://www.uvm.edu/~pbierman/classes/gradsem/2014/India_Water_Compiled.pdf
◦ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0270467617738696?journalCode=bsta

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