Conserve ground water: Manmohan

NEW DELHI: There is a real danger of conflict over requirement of water, said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, stressing the need for its sustainable use and hinting about putting a price on its commercial use.

“We cannot continue to subsidise the economic and commercial use of water. There are related policies that must also be corrected to ensure adequate emphasis on water conservation, especially ground water,” the PM said. He said providing free power to farmers has encouraged excessive use of pump sets and excessive drawing of ground water, adding that economic pricing of power “would be some incentive for conserving ground water”.

The PM said water conservation could be better served through appropriate incentives and penalties. The government was examining a recommendation favouring a cess on commercial use of ground water and penalise excessive and wasteful use. Emphasising the importance of efficient and economical use of water, he said a paradigm shift was also necessary in dealing with demand management.