No proposal to make Right to Water fundamental right: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

DN Bureau

There is no proposal to make access to potable water a fundamental right, Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat informed Lok Sabha on Thursday.

Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat


New Delhi: There is no proposal to make access to potable water a fundamental right, Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat informed Lok Sabha on Thursday.

Any such proposal is not under consideration of the government, the minister said during Question Hour.

Also Read: Don't come to well of the House- LS Speaker warns Oppn MPs

He was replying to a question raised by BJP member Hema Malini.

Also Read | Criminals as lawmakers: Opposition objects to special courts law

However, Shekhawat said the government has initiated a scheme to provide piped water to every rural household.

The government is going to spend substantially on the Jal Jeevan Mission, he said.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that Rs 3.5 lakh crore will be spent in the next five years under the newly formed Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to provide piped water ('Har Ghar Jal') to all rural households by 2024.

Also Read | PM Modi appeals to parties to ensure smooth functioning of Winter Session of Parliament

In reply to another question, Shekhawat said Government is actively considering Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) programme as one of the interventions for sustainable management of water resources in the country.

Also Read: LS Speaker meets leaders of parties ahead of winter session of parliament 

Under the National Perspective Plan (NPP) for water transfer from water surplus basins to water-deficit basins, the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) has identified 30 links (16 under Peninsular Component and 14 under Himalayan Component) for preparation of Feasibility Reports (FRs), he said.

The implementation of NPP is likely to raise the ultimate irrigation potential through surface and ground water resources from 140 million Ha to 175 million Ha, generation of 34 million KW of power, apart from the incidental benefits of water supply, flood control, drought mitigation, navigation, fisheries, salinity and pollution control etc. (PTI)










Related Stories