Water resources should be nationalised

Many scientific studies claim that there will be a severe crisis of drinking water by 2050 and many sociologists contend that the next global war, if fought at all, will have the water as its central issue. It is, therefore, not at all difficult to understand the importance of availability vis- a-vis the scarcity of freshwater in the present global scenario. So in all fairness a detailed and well-thought out plan regarding procurement and use of water resources is the need of the hour. In view of such a need, it may not be out of question to consider whether this precious resource can be nationalised.

It is a commonplace belief that nationalisation can prove to be a panacea especially when critical socio-economic issues are entangled in case of any question of socio-economic decision-making. Since independence, India has embarked on the path of mixed economy where the leading role in the economic sphere was entrusted to the public sector and the important resources of the country were nationalised. It was a trend not restricted only within India but all over the world except the capitalist world. However, even in the latter the important and strategic resources remain subjected to the state control though in the recent time the trend has been noticed to get reversed. So, a resource, as important and sensitive as water, justifiably should remain under the state control.

The cases for nationalisation of water resources can be summarised as below".

1) Water is a basic need for survival, so nothing can be allowed to deny this basic right of the people ;

2) The supply of this resource being in the hands of the private business may in all probability harm the fair and equitable access to it by the common people;

3) The cost of supply of pure drinkable water will become increasingly higher so that huge investment will be required on account of this trend. In view of it, it would be reasonable that the Government take necessary steps to control the supply and distribution of water;

4) Not only the drinking water, the other uses of water will also become increasingly costly, particularly its use in agriculture. Because of the involvement of food security with this issue, control of supply of water for farming will be a strategic issue, justifying the governmental control over it;

5) The scarcity of such a fundamental resource would naturally allure the private business to flex their muscles in hope for extracting exorbitant profits from the water business. Without the governmental intervention the situation will simply create immense adversity vis a vis the common people.

However, the act of nationalisation is not always free from defects and unless safeguards are taken it may do harm even where a sensitive issue like the present case is involved. There can be many cases against nationalisation of water resource but they should not be used as pleas for privatising this important resource, rather proper steps need to be taken to curb the demerits emergent from nationalisation presented as follows".

1) Like any other nationalisation program, this may also be doomed if corruption on the part of the politicians and the bureaucrats is not held in check;

2) Efficiency of all sorts must be given the priority;

3) People's participation in varied forms should be encouraged in the policy making and its implementation as to the various aspects of procurement, distribution, uses and supply of water resources.

4) Wastage must be stopped and suitable pricing/taxation policy ought to be evolved;

5) Proper planning is a must for success;

6) Research and development must be carried out with utmost zeal.

Hi friends,

I read all of your comments pro and against the subject in issue. Am of the strong view, that, water resources should be invariably nationalized.

But, though this is a public issue, the selfish politicians make it a political issue, posing unnecessary and unwanted problems, as they are not interested in the welfare of the country, rather interested in posing problem for their political gains. Added to that, All the lakes and ponds both in villages and cities in our country have been stealthily occupied by unruly people, and they even obtained pastas from government, using their political influence, though, it is very well known to the concerned officials, that, occupying and obtaining pattas over tank bed lands are prohibited under board standing orders, and our courts in various pronouncements time and again ruled that, grant of patta in respect of tank bed lands are prohibited in law and is illegal. Moreover, in every state, there are major and minor irrigation department, to look after this subject, but, they are doing nothing in this regard, and they are drawing their salaries without any work or strain, and they are supported by politicians and land grabbers.

So, the government must endeavor to resume all these lands from the so called grabbers, their pattas be cancelled, and nationalize all the water resources (not projects alone) from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and appoint expert special officers for the judicious and fair distribution of water, to the needy areas, so that, whole of India will not suffer from water problem. If this is done. So, we will be giving real meaning to the song: "vande Mataram. Sasha Samalam Mataram".

Water resources need not be nationalized. This may result in gross injustice if the government allots larger quantities of water to the neighboring state than to the state in which the rivers originally flow. It is better for the states to conclude an agreement on how much quantity of water they must share rather than central government's involvement. There are special tribunals to give t heir judgement if any conflict arises between the states. Where ever the water resources are present, that area has complete right to take majority of share to meet the needs of that region. Thank you.

Water resources should be nationalized. Because agriculture is backbone of our country and also we can't survive without water. If it is nationalized there is no conflict between the states of our country. Through this we can improve agriculture, so, the productivity is more and we can get all goods more cheaper. And employment will be more. Our country will become economically strong.

Dear all,

There is no point to discuss among ourselves we have to take some steps to initiate it. We are the people choosing our government and politicians and we have to educate our people those who are unaware of it. If you guys are really interested why can't we initiate and start a team and do the service during our leisure time to educate them and spread the awareness among our people from each city we need some representative join together we will achieve.

I support Water resource nationalization. Its very necessary action to develop the agriculture based nation. Its also help the country to transport both passengers and goods by waterway travel.

The water resources should be nationalized is a good idea that the state political parties can not have a bone for a contention among the people. Since the local political parties have a keen eye on cashing the melee situations created for their benefit.

This ulterior motive was quite obvious when the people of Kerala and Tamilnadu out on the ground with lethal weapons for water related issue. So all rivers and reservoirs established in our country should go under one command. When it happened, the people of India could see nothing but development in every aspect which will pave a good platform for us to get into the label of super power country.

Hello friends, I'm Nish Babar.

According to me, water is a scarce resource so it is essential to use it properly. But most people in our country don't understand the importance of water and frequently use lot of water & waste too much water.

There is no awareness of the protection of water in our country so increase in water pollution also.

We see wastage in water in every sector like household purpose, industrial sector, agricultural sector almost in all sectors where water required.

The amount of water used is decided by government authorities but no one follows them.

As we know there is 71%water & 29% Land but only 3% water is used as freshwater other remaining 97%Water is in sea, ocean, salty water, glaciers so it must to save water.

If water resources should be nationalized its wastage will reduce & everyone understands the importance of water.

So to save our nation, save water.

Thank you.

According to water resource should be nationalized. Because in our GDP rate there is a major part for agriculture. So that if water resource will be nationalized it would definitely impact on it and helpful our national economic growth.

Dear friends, I agree with all of you. Today scarcity of natural resources happened due to our negligence. Water resources also one of natural resources. If water resources are nationalized.

Then government can control water resources properly. Agriculture, industries need more water, but we want agricultural development so water resources must be allocated more to the agricultural purpose. In our country more people depends on agriculture but today due to scarcity of water they turned their life to urbanized, like this only it goes on then we face scarcity of food also.

So, it is the time to take care of water resources properly, it is nationalized or not every person responsible to take care of water resources.

Thanking you.