The State Water Policy-2003

STATE WATER POLICY (YEAR 2003)
Para.No. SUBJECT
1 Necessity of State Water Policy:
2 Information system
3 The use of available water wealth for different purposes.
4 Project planning
5 Maintenance and modernization
6 Ground water development 
7 Water allocation priorities
8 Drinking water and quality control
9 Irrigation and land management
10 Rationalization of water rates
11 Participation in water management
12 Participation of non governmental institutions
13 Establishment of water zone and watershed management
14 Flood control and management
15 Scarcity area management
16 Science and Technology
17 Training
(1) Necessity of State Water Policy:
Water is a natural resource, fundamental need of living being and invaluable national wealth. In 
the developmental planning of the state, water is a decisive and multifaceted component. For 
environmental balance, skillful and planned management for all types of developmental 
activities, economic use on the equitable basis and in view of the prime importance of water for 
all human and other living beings, an effective and sound water policy is necessary.
Under the constitution, water resource is recognized as a state subject. State Water Policy is 
prescribed in accordance to the guidelines and general directions in the National Water Policy, 
keeping in view the specific necessity for the state of Madhya Pradesh. In view of the inter-state 
water disputes, the State Water Policy has specific importance.
(2) Information system:
Developed information system is the principal necessity in the planning of water resources. 
Apart from availability of water and data of its actual use, this system should be able to 
indicate the availability of water for different purposes in future by way of credible and broader 
projections.
Present information and data network including data of processing capabilities should be 
improved to make it broader, modern and effective. Emphasis should be given for greater use 
of Remote Sensing technique. It should be made mandatory for users and regulatory 
departments to maintain all necessary data for compilation of storage of surface and ground 
water.
(3) The use of available water wealth for different purposes:
The water resources development shall be planned on the basis of river basin or sub-basin. 
Each development project shall be designed in such a manner that each basin or sub-basin is 
inherently integrated water resources planning so that the best alternative can be identified.
(4) Project planning:
The scope of water resource planning shall be multipurpose and it shall be essential to have 
the provision for drinking water and development of hydroelectricity. For enhancement of 
fisheries production integrated development projects shall be taken up.
Policy for development of inter-state navigation be decided and possibilities of in-land 
navigation be explored. The study regarding impact of projects on life and profession of human 
being and their economy, social and other aspects should be an essential part of the project 
planning. The study of impact on the quality and environmental balance should be considered 
at first in the planning, execution and operation of the projects. The delay in construction of 
water resources projects, increase in their cost and reduction of benefits should be secured by 
upgrading the quality of projects preparation and management.
In view of providing benefits to the schedule tribes, schedule casts and other special backward 
classes, special projects of water resources development should be taken up and 
representation of these groups in operation and maintenance of projects shall be ensured.
(5) Maintenance and modernization:
A time bound upkeep of the dams and canal systems should be carried out and time-to-time 
programmes for their rehabilitation should be undertaken. It is an immediate need to 
reconstruct and rehabilitate the vast irrigation network of the state for future requirements. 
These canal systems need modernization and enhancement in their efficiencies. The guidelines 
issued for the safety of dams should be examined, from time to time and revised, if necessary.
(6) Ground water development:
While planning projects, attention should be given for development and conjunctive use of 
surface and ground water, and it should be made part of the project. Availability of ground 
water potential should be assessed after every ten years compulsorily and exploitation of 
ground water should be controlled on the scientific basis. The ground water should be utilised 
only to the extent, which can be recharged. For recharging the ground water methods of 
construction of minor irrigation tanks/percolation tanks should be adopted.
Priority should be given to exploitation of ground water resources for drinking water purposes. 
Within the jurisdiction of municipal bodies ground water shall not be utilised without their 
permission for private use or any other purpose. If availability of ground is more than the 
requirement of drinking water of a municipal body then the ground water can be used for any 
other purpose with due permission of the body.
(7) Water allocation priorities:
In the planning and operation of system water allocation priorities shall be as under:
· Drinking water supply
· Irrigation and afforestation.
· Power generation/industrial and other uses.
· T ourism
Water resources department shall be made a nodal department for permitting different uses of 
water resources. Clear provision for reservation of drinking water shall be made. in proposed 
irrigation projects of the state, on river, reservoirs, tanks etc.
(8) Drinking water and quality control:
The facility of sufficient drinking water shall be extended to the entire urban and rural 
population. The quality of the surface water and ground water shall be tested on regular basis 
by concerned departments. It should be made mandatory to treat the industrial and urban 
waste to the required standards before these are allowed to flow in a stream .The necessary 
laws should be formulated for protecting the water resources from unauthroised encroachment 
and also for maintaining the standard quality of water. 
(9) Irrigation and land management:
In water resources planning, amongst the available options/alternatives, optimum cost benefit 
alternative shall be selected. The policies of land use and its levelling shall be co-related with 
the policy of water use. Irrigation potential shall be utilised to the maximum, so that the gap 
between irrigation potential and actual Irrigation can be reduced. The provision shall be made 
to provide irrigation on priority basis in the fields of marginal and small farmers. T o promote 
drip and sprinkle irrigation there is a need to set up model farms in the command areas of 
every canal with the help of Agriculture Department.
(10) Rationalisation of water rates:
Water rates should be such which conveys the beneficiary the scares value of water, its 
importance and motivates them for the economical use of water. Water rates necessarily shall 
be such that the project shall be self-supported. For the use of water for private purposes, rates 
shall be determined in such a manner so that the water can be used strictly in accordance to 
the prescribed priorities laid down in the policy. Due to the importance of the forest for 
protection of environment, concessional rates of water shall be fixed for afforestation
(10-A) Institutional administration: (As per Corrigendum-1 in the State Water Policy)
Presently concerned departments are carrying out Water Resource Planning for different uses. 
Considering scarcity and necessity of multi- dimensional planning for development of water 
resources, there is a need to prepare development plans for water resources at the level of 
apex institutions of the state.
The water resources planning structure which is at present based on water availability should 
be correlated with demand base of water distribution and necessary institutional reforms be 
taken.
(11) Participation in water management:
T o improve water planning, avoid disparity in water distribution and status of available services 
rendered to farmers, participation of beneficiary groups in operation and maintenance shall be 
ensured.
(12) Participation of non-governmental Institutions:
In water sector, the non-governmental agencies and commercial organizations should have 
financial and management participation. This type of participation shall be at all levels in 
project planning, construction and maintenance.
(13)Establishment of water zones and water shed management:
On the basis of availability of water the state shall primarily be divided into three regions (East, 
Central and West) per hectare cost of Irrigation development shall be based on separate 
criteria in the East, Central and West regions, strictly in accordance to geographical & climatic 
conditions.
Special attention shall be given to catchment area treatment and water shed management. 
Watershed management shall also include soil conservation, catchment area treatment, forest 
conservation and afforestation programme. T o improve soil-recharging capacity, plantation by 
demarcating green belts shall be done, wherever possible. Special water resources 
development projects shall be formulated for hilly region.
(14) Flood control and management:
Master Plan shall be prepared for flood-affected areas for controlling the flood and providing 
protection. The additional storage capacity of water shall be provided in the reservoirs for 
accommodating the flood water. An intensive network for flood forecasting shall be established. 
Erosion of soil caused by the rivers shall be minimized by adopting economical remedial 
measures. Efforts shall be made to prevent the uncontrolled use of river and river banks for 
habitation and farming, to control the on going economic activities in the area.
(15) Scarcity area management:
In drought prone areas, to reduce the problem and severeness related to drought, measures 
like water harvesting, soil humidity protection, works related to increase the ground water table 
and transfer of water from area having surplus water to scarce water area etc shall be adopted. 
Development of grazing fields, afforestation and similar other works shall be encouraged. 
Priorities shall be given to the scarcity areas in the planning of water resources development 
and a special water management system shall be developed for economical use of water in 
these areas. 
(15-A) Planning to interlink rivers: (As per Corrigendum-1 in the State Water Policy)
For integrated development of water resources interlinking river system plan shall be prepared, 
safeguarding the interest of the state.
(16) Science and technology:
It is necessary that multifaceted exposure and avenues be provided to the technical knowledge 
for efficient and appropriate water resources management. Intensive research work is essential 
in the following areas: 
- Hydrometeorology
- Hydrology
- Ground water science and recharging of the ground water
- Economical use of water
- Appropriate methods for the conservation of water in the fields, development of water wealth 
in the catchment areas.
- Economical design of water resources projects
- Continuity of flow of water in the rivers and purity of drinking water
- Scientific study of crop-pattern
- Study of silting processing in the reservoirs and measures to minimize it.
- Safety of water conservation structures
- Research on river formation works and construction material
- Water distribution system
- Remote sensing techniques
- Purification of water and its likely reuse.
- Effective water drainage system
- Risk analysis and Disaster Management
(17)Training:
There shall be inclusion of regional planning for information system, designing of project, 
construction, operation and efficient water distribution system for providing standarized 
training. Farmers shall also be included with personnel of all levels involved in the water 
resources management for training. The prime object of the training shall be to achieve 
maximum production from per unit use of water. 

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