A project for mapping of water resources has been envisaged to chalk out programmes for optimum utilisation of the available resources and prepare data of the resources, Kerala Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran said here on Friday.Inaugurating a workshop on the water policy, Mr. Premachandran said in spite of the depletion of water resources, Kerala was still considered a State that wasted its surplus water resources. Hence, it is imperative to prepare data about the available resources to plan for the future.The Minister said the government had decided to amend the Groundwater Regulation Act to check exploitation of groundwater resources. A draft law for the conservation of rivers and water-bodies was on the anvil, he added.While formulating the water policy, the State was focussing on providing drinking water to those below the poverty line. While the Centre had directed to revise the tariff to meet capital expenses, the State had revised the tariff to meet the operational and maintenance expenses. The government decided to bear the financial burden of supplying drinking water to BPL families.He said following the decentralisation of powers to local self-government institutions, panchayats were expected to take up drinking water schemes in their respective areas. This was expected to go on stream by the end of the Eleventh Plan period. However, many panchayats had not taken up the responsibility.He said due importance was not being given to rainwater harvesting. The State could not afford to take up major projects. Small and medium projects were most suited for the State. While encouraging minor and lift irrigation projects, revival and capacity enhancement of the existing projects were also needed. Additional Chief Secretary K. Jayakumar, who is in charge of the Water Resources Department, presided over the inaugural function.
The Hindu, 27th September 2008
No comments:
Post a Comment