Important Facts For Prelims
First State to have Water Policy
- 16 Jul 2019
- 2 min read
Recently the Meghalaya has approved a draft water policy to address water usages, issues of conservation and protection of water sources in the State.
- Amid the water crisis in the country, the Meghalaya cabinet became the first state to approve a draft water policy to address water issues, conservation, and protection of water sources in the state.
- According to schedule 7 of the constitution, Water is a State subject (Entry 17 in the State List). It brings water including water supplies, irrigation and canals, drainage and embankments, water storage and water power under the state list.
- Recently, the state government has also launched its Jal Shakti mission to address the problems related to water.
- All issues related to the utilization of water and livelihood and how to preserve water bodies have been outlined in this policy including community participation in the implementation of this policy by constituting a water sanitation village council at the village level.
- Although, Meghalaya receives a lot of rainfall but the same water cannot be retained and all of the water reaches Bangladesh in no time.
- Also, it can be noted that Meghalaya is the first state to pass a social audit law.
