SHILLONG: Realising the importance of water for both human and animal life, the proposed draft document of the State Water Policy has laid emphasis on the need to regulate exploitation of ground water resources.

“There should be a periodical reassessment of the ground water potential on a scientific basis taking into consideration the quality of the water available and economic viability of its extraction,” the draft document prepared by the State Government, which is available on the official website of the Water Resources department, states.

Revised draft water policy allows for subsidy to the poor and in non-commercial farming

Public outcry against indiscriminate pricing of water and privatisation of water delivery services has forced the Centre to back off on both counts in its revised draft of the new national water policy, a copy of which is available with The Hindu . The revised draft, that incorporates suggestions from the public as well as state governments, allows for subsidy to the poor and in non-commercial farming. The Hindu was the first to report the draft policy.

A meeting of environmentalists held here on Tuesday to discuss the Draft National Water Policy (2012) called for a campaign against moves to turn water into a commodity.

The meeting was organised by the Salim Ali Foundation, Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishath, Centre of Science and Technology for Rural Development (COSTFORD) and the Chalakudy Puzha Samrakshana Samithy. The meeting called for a serious review of the draft policy. Former Water Resources Minister N. K. Premachandran said that water was described as a commodity at four places in the draft policy.

The cabinet yesterday approved a draft bill that aims to stop misuse of surface, ground and river water and preserve and manage water resources in an integrated manner.

Premachandran sees attempt to push through neoliberal reforms

A high-level consultative meeting and seminar on the draft National Water Policy 2012 here on Wednesday expressed concern over several of its features, calling for a cautious approach and serious thoughts on the actual objectives for amending the existing policy. The former Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran, delivering a special address at the event organised by the C. Achutha Menon Study Centre and Library and the Department of Environment and Climate Change