Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan moots water regulatory body

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has mooted a water regulatory commission to decide on allocation of water between industry, agriculture and the growing cities.

Chavan's remarks come against the backdrop of recent police firing at Maval in Pune district, which left three protesters dead.

Establishment of electricity regulators at the Centre and the state level had changed the scene in those sectors for the better, he said.

"I think these regulatory commissions have reformed the energy sector a lot. Can we do the same thing for water? There can be a central water regulator and state water regulator," he said, speaking at an event here last night.

There were serious concerns as to who should get priority in water allocation -- industry, agriculture or urban areas needing potable water, he said, adding that equitable distribution of natural resources was going to be a major challenge in future.

Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia endorsed Chavan's view, saying the subject needed a "major rethinking".

"There are competing demands on water between agriculture, between industry and so on and that really does require major rethinking. We may need a somewhat different legal structure to regulate water. It's not going to be an easy thing to do," he said.

On the issue of urban housing and difficulties faced by a rapidly urbanising state like Maharashtra, Chavan said a massive package from the Centre was needed, on the lines of the Rs70,000-crore farm loan waiver scheme.

"I think a package of at least Rs1 lakh crore or even a couple of lakh crore needs to be given for urban housing...it is beyond the capability of the state government. We need some help. We need a huge, huge support from Delhi," he said.