National Water Framework Law

The National Water Policy (2012) emphasizes the need to evolve a National Water Framework Law as an umbrella statement of general principles governing the exercise of legislative/executive powers by the Centre, the States and the local governing bodies. This Ministry had constituted a Committee on 3rd July, 2012 under the Chairmanship of Dr. Y. K. Alagh to draft National Water Framework Law. The Committee submitted its report in May, 2013. 

Further, this Ministry had constituted a Committee under the Chairmanship of Justice T. S. Doabia (Retd.) to study the activities that are required for optimum development of river basin and changes required in the existing River Board Act, 1956 for achievement of the same. The Committee submitted its Report in November, 2012 wherein the draft River Basin Management Bill was proposed. 

The reports submitted by Dr. Y.K. Alagh Committee and Justice T. S. Doabia (Retd.) Committees were circulated to the States/UTs for comments and were also placed before the National Forum of Water Resources / Irrigation Ministers of States for wider consultations at its meeting held on 29.05.2013. Some of the States/UTs had given positive response on the draft National Water Framework Law and draft River Basin Management Bill whereas some States had expressed reservations in the matter. 

A Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. Mihir Shah was constituted by this Ministry on 28.12.2015 to examine the provisions of the draft National Water Framework Law and draft River Basin Management Bill and suggest changes/ modifications therein taking into account inter-alia the emerging challenges in the water sector, reuse of waste water after treatment, the likely impact of climate change on water resources, importance of river restoration/rejuvenation, water contamination issues etc. The recommendations of the Dr. Mihir Shah Committee on National Water Framework Law have been finalized. 

This information was given by Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.