The Centre on Wednesday said that Water Resources Ministry will soon start work on bringing the subject of Water in the Central list from the Concurrent list. Following a suggestion in this regard was made by JD (U) leader Sharad Yadav during a debate in Rajya Sabha on prevailing drought condition, Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti said that it has already been discussed within the ministry.
Members expressed serious concern over the acute drinking water crisis and rising number of farmers’ suicides in 11 drought-hit States including Maharashtra, with the Opposition accusing the Government of not releasing adequate funds to these States.
“We discussed it in our ministry, but I did not form any committee on this as it is a sensitive issue. But now since Sharad Yadav has raised it, my ministry will start work on it,” Bharti replying to a suggestion by Yadav that Water should be brought under the Central list so that Government is able to effectively tackle the issue of water scarcity. Yadav said making Water a Central subject will help in conserving the crucial commodity and in effectively resolving the disputes related to rivers between States.