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Key issues relating to future development and management of water resources and the financial needs are likely to be deliberated upon during the two day World Bank assisted workshop being organized by Ministry of Water Resources in New Delhi on January 13-14, 2005. Among the initiatives which have been identified and are likely to dominate discussions are prioritization, adoption of appropriate management practices and stakeholders participation. Other main points for discussion in workshop which are found relevant for formulating the future strategy are categorized under three groups i.e. Development, Sustainability of Resource and stake holders participation.
The issues for focused development expected to be deliberated upon are:
i) Identifying a few specific projects from amongst many.
ii) Making a choice between best economic option and most demanding social scheme.
iii) Criteria or formula to ensure that the selected project is the most appropriate.
Sustainability of Water Resource system is of prime importance and it is necessary to implement reform measures in right earnest and the following points are likely to be discussed:
i) The impediments in implementation of reform measures.
ii) Steps required to effectively implement the needed reform measures.
The need for participation of the stakeholder in planning for development and management is well established. However keeping in view the present socio economic scenario in the country, following issues are expected to be deliberated upon to arrive at an accepted norm.
i) Type of infrastructure needs to be created and mechanism to be put in place to ensure desired level of involvement of stakeholders (Water Users Association or Pani Panchyat or other bodies) so that the objectives are achieved effectively.
ii) Such infrastructure expected to affect the existing system where the State Government Departments are responsible for regulation and O&M of the facilities.
iii) The new system and the existing system’s coexistence as the water resources projects need regulation, operation and maintenance of various levels.
RKJ/AM
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