Water Policy for Easy Access
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: November 10 2015 -
With the Government of Manipur planning to adopt its own water policy based on equitable distribution and easy access, people are already expecting “water security” for all.
The Manipur State Water Policy 2015 which had been drafted on the peculiarity of the rivers in Manipur flowing from catchment area within its political boundary aims at
making water available for human use throughout the year.
While promising to ensure quantity and quality drinking water for all households, the preamble to the water policy had taken cognisance of a fact that the most affected during the time of water scarcity are women and girls. This is why, the policy envisaged efficient policy implementation with the involvement of women as the main stakeholders.
The policy also acknowledges that the hills and the valley are not separate watertight compartments and the lifestyle and the economy of the people of both the areas are
inseparably intertwined.
As part of policy statement and strategy, the draft policy focuses on enhancing water accessibility, protection of water resources; preservation of water bodies; rainwater
harvesting; flood control; water quality etc.
However, the policy also touches upon the issue of water pricing and water cess collection. The policy says that water pricing and use of water meters is required
primarily for conservation of water supplied, besides the requirement for collection of revenue.
The pricing according to the policy will be based on the amount of water used and not on a flat rate basis.
With the promotion of using water metering, the draft policy says the Government will follow due consideration and concessions be made for those Below Poverty Line (BPL) who
cannot afford to pay so that they are not deprived of the minimum required quantity of water.
If the policy is implemented with the collective involvement of line departments, district administrations, panchayats, municipalities, district councils, local bodies,
NGOs and other stakeholders, the future looks bright.
However, one should also be wary of implicitly introducing privatization of water distribution where only the haves are expected to reap a good harvest out of the policy.
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