Minerals are indispensable in modern industrial activities; infrastructure and manufacturing sectors, as indeed all sectors of economy. However, non-fuel materials (minerals and metals) have so far not received the same attention as have oil and natural gas.

Hydropower is an important source of renewable energy. In recent years, both at the national level and in various states, policy impetus has been given for increasing hydropower generation through new projects and by encouraging private sector investment.

The dialogues, undertaken with a spirit of continuity, focused on five themes: challenges in water utility management, roles of the private sector and civil society, role of water regulators, improving water data and metrics, and prospects for capacity building.

The Roadmaps for Reforms report focuses on four key areas. The first roadmap, proposing a national water management reform programme, underscores the importance of a multi-level approach to water management. It covers reforms at the state level for water resources management, main system irrigation management, and on-farm irrigation management.