PM to chair meet on National Water Policy 2012 today, safe drinking water on agenda

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, as head of the National Water Resources Council, will be chairing a meet on National Water Policy, 2012 on Friday. Experts and non-governmental organisations working in the water sector have urged Singh to recognise people's access to safe water as a fundamental human right, and have asked him to not do away with the clause in the draft policy which suggests that water services be privatised.

The draft policy stresses on the need to evolve a broad overarching national legal framework on water. The draft announced by the government in January this year was revised twice based on the recommendations made by the National Water Board.

The last meeting of the Council held in April, 2002 had adopted the National Water Policy, 2002.

Experts and NGOs have urged the PM to recognise people\'s access to safe water as a fundamental human right.

"Even while it is recognised that states have the right to frame suitable policies, laws and regulations on water, there is a felt need to evolve a broad over-arching national legal framework of general principles on water to lead the way for essential legislation on water governance in every state of the Union and devolution of necessary authority to the lower tiers of government to deal with the local water situation," says the latest draft.

With additional information from PTI

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)