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Title: Depleting water resources in the Country.
SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA (GUNA): Water is the prime mover in human development and the water crisis is becoming grimmer by the day. India with 16 per cent of the world’s population shares only four per cent of global fresh water resources. Per capita water availability in India has come down to one-third of what it was in 1951, from 5,200 cubic metre in 1951 to 1,820 cubic meter in 2001. Fifteen States in India are endlessly squabbling over eight river water projects. They deny water, particularly drinking water to one another, and some States are sitting pretty, blocking the genuine claims of others, while allowing the river waters to flow into the sea, despite the decisions taken by independent Tribunals and Commissions. Inter-State water disputes linger on for decades on end.
The recent UN Water Development Report, underlines India’s failure and mismanagement of its water resources, mainly attributable to bureaucratic and political inertia and corruption. This mismanagement results in an ever increasing death toll claimed by water borne diseases of which 21 per cent are children under five years of age and two-third of the population is denied access to proper sanitation.
Besides all these, though India shares only four per cent of fresh water resources, it is placed by the UN among the top ten water rich countries of the world. Thus, what is needed is an integrated water policy with a transparent and time bound social investment plan, community participation in projects and zero tolerance approach to corruption and mismanagement.[R21] This should aim at improving water use efficiency and conserving water resources by preventing wastage of fresh water, rain water harvesting and treatment of waste water. Laws should be enacted and effectively enforced to prevent over exploitation of ground water. A realistic water tariff should be fixed and revenue should be collected. A participatory irrigation management system has to be evolved and effectively enforced.
So, I would like to request the Government to evolve such an integrated water policy, duly prioritising water security[R22] .
MR. SPEAKER: Why do you not participate in the Forum on Water?
Now, Shri S. Mallikarjuniah to speak.
SHRI S. MALLIKARJUNIAH (TUMKUR): Sir, with your permission, I am raising a very important matter under Matters under Rule 377.
MR. SPEAKER: Now, Matters under Rule 377 are not being taken up. Now, Matters of Urgent Public Importance are going on. Then, I will call you later.
Shri Basu Deb Acharia.
… (Interruptions)
श्री देवेन्द्र प्रसाद यादव (झंझारपुर) : यह राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा से जुड़ा हुआ मामला है।
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Devendra Prasad Yadav, you are fully aware that one hon. Member cannot raise two matters on the same day. You have yourself decided to raise the other matter.
श्री देवेन्द्र प्रसाद यादव : अध्यक्ष महोदय, दो मुद्दे नहीं उठाए हैं। एक ही मुद्दा है। यह राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा से संबंधित है।
अध्यक्ष महोदय : आप अपनी बात कह चुके हैं।
…( व्यवधान)
श्री देवेन्द्र प्रसाद यादव : यह जनरल है। …( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदय : आप बैठ जाइए।
…( व्यवधान)
श्री देवेन्द्र प्रसाद यादव : उसमें तो सभी माननीय सदस्यों ने अपनी बात कही है। …( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: No, I am sorry.