12th Plan water reforms to be pro-farmer, tech-savvy: Plan Comm

SINGAPORE: Pro-farmer, tech-savvy reforms will made for the development of water resources in the 12th Five-Year plan, which begins next year, a member of the Planning Commission said here yesterday.

The focus would be on technology to manage water resources, promote the use of recycled water among industries and pay per use, said Planning Commission Member Mihir Shah, who holds the charge of water in the commission.

Technology would help both large and small industries to use recycled water, while payment would ensure the water needs of the entire population is met, he said at the Singapore International Water Week.

"Pricing has been a stumbling block for many years. But once the water supply is ensured, people will want to pay for it," said Shah, adding that people should have a role in water management and understand the limits of the resource.

Shah underlined the sensitivity of paying for water, but highlighted some model projects in Andhra Pradesh where people were paying for it as they had been involved in the project.

People from farmers to industries should be involved in the water projects, stressed Shah, noting the increasing public concern about privatisation of water, which was widely seen as taking away "the gift of God" from the people.

Shah pointed out that India's water efficiency was the lowest in the world and stressed on the need for industries to lead by using recycled water for their processes.

Sprinklers and drip systems would help farmers improve water usage, said Shah, adding that the best global technologies that suit the local environment were being studied to improve water efficiency in the country.

"Look at India through the Indian lenses and reality in selecting technology," he said, pointing out that introduction of the best technology would be one of the focus points of the irrigation reforms to be taken up during the 12th Plan.