NEW DELHI: A Parliamentary panel looking into ground water scenario in the country has urged the Centre to initiate "earnest" efforts to build national consensus to bring water in Concurrent List of the Constitution so that a comprehensive plan can be prepared for water conservation.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources has maintained in its report that subject of water needs to be dealt within a consultative manner, taking into consideration the overall national perspective, given the fact that country will face acute water crisis in near future, especially on ground water front.
The fifth report on 'Review of Ground Water Scenario, Need for a Comprehensive Policy and Measures to Address Problems in the Country' was presented to both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha today.
"In view of the need to adopt a holistic approach for tackling the problem in a comprehensive and equitable manner, the Committee, therefore, reiterate their earlier recommendation and urge the Government to initiate earnest efforts to build national consensus to bring the subject of 'Water' in the Concurrent list of the Constitution after undertaking necessary consultations with the states with a view to evolving a comprehensive national plan of action for better conservation, development and management of water, including ground water," the Committee said.
While water supplies, irrigation and canals, drainage and embankments and storage fall in the State List, issues like development of inter-state rivers come under the Union List.