Resource detail

Under the new Water Policy, round-the-clock drinking water will be provided, a network of sewerage treatment plant to cover all households in the rural areas be set up and the local bodies be involved in planning, operation and maintenance of schemes by evolving a suitable participatory mechanism. The policy approved by the Cabinet also paves the way for involving the private sector in distribution of water and collection of water charges through public-private partnership mode and putting in place a regulatory mechanism for sustainable use of water sources. The new policy is the amended version of 2005 policy which has been changed to comply with the conditions put by the World Bank while sanctioning development policy loan and also make it compatible with the National Water Policy notified in 2012.The policy integrates all water-related concerns, including the management of watershed and ground water resources, and makes discussion with stakeholders, particularly, the local community mandatory while planning and designing schemes. The schemes will be handed over to community bodies for operation and maintenance and they will be allowed to retain the user charges for the purpose.