Draft Bill 2016 to manage river basins in integrated manner!
Q. Which bill’s draft framework seeks to develop and manage the river basin in an integrated manner?- Published on 17 Oct 16a. National River Framework Bill 2016
b. National Water Framework Bill 2016
c. National Riverine Framework Bill 2016
d. National Riparian Framework Bill 2016
ANSWER: National River Framework Bill 2016
To resolve inter-state conflicts over water sharing of rivers, Union Government of India in Oct 2016 came up with the draft National Water Framework Bill 2016.
- The bill seeks to establish a mechanism to develop and manage river basin in an integrated manner
- Mechanism will help states to get equitable share of the river’s water without violating other’s rights
- The Bill calls for the establishment for River basin authority for each inter-state basin to ensure optimal use and sustainable development of rivers and valleys
- It also proposes the establishment of institutional arrangements at all levels to solve disputes through negotiations, conciliation or mediation before they become acute
- It also devises an integrated approach for managing and conserving groundwater
- It holds that all states are equal in rights and there is no hierarchy of rights, which means that states will get an equitable share in the river waters
- States also need to recognise that rivers are not owned by the basins states but are public trustees
- The bill is not binding on the states as water is a state subject under Schedule V11 of the Constitution.
