NEW DELHI: In a bid to overcome the drought-like situation in future, the Centre is drafting a model bill that would lay stress on creating large-scale rainwater storage facilities, efficient allocation of the valuable resource to States and the involvement of the local populace in conservation efforts.
The bill will recommend giving precedence to drinking water supply over water allocation for agricultural and industrial purposes. An official associated with the drafting of the bill said it would focus on telling States to take steps to recharge depleting groundwater, especially in floodplain areas of rivers. “Model laws were prepared earlier too. But those focused more on supply-side management like how we should construct dams, opt for rainwater harvesting. There was no emphasis on demand-side management like storing water, ensuring its efficient use by prioritising its allocation,” the official added.