Raj likely to introduce law to halt excess water exploitation

Jaipur, Feb 15 (PTI) Scarcity hit Rajasthan is likelyto come up with a legislation to prevent excess exploitationof water.

Expressing concern over the alarming situation, stateGovernor Shivraj Patil said there was a need for a legislationin the direction of conserving water in the state.

"A law is required to control the excess exploitationof water", Patil said in his address on the opening day of thebudget session of Rajasthan assembly today.

Patil, during his nearly 90 minute speech, alsoexpressed satisfaction over the growth and development in thestate.

He called upon the members of the house to holdwide discussion on various issues besides "reformation" workundertaken by the state government and move forward withunderstanding.

Highlighting the achievements of the state governmentand developmental works under progress, Patil said, "the stategovernment is working with commitment on the concept ofresponsible and transparent governance for overall developmentof the state while addressing the issues of unemployment,illiteracy and poverty."

"Energy production for the development of the state isthe priority of the government and has released water policy,industrial policy and mineral policy. Several other decisionswere also taken for the welfare of people," he said.

"Last year, there was acute water shortage but thegovernment faced the challenge very effectively and issued awater policy. The government took several steps for its properexecution but its success will depend on legal andinstitutional reforms," Patil said.

"The problem of water shortage may arise in comingmonths also; so all the members should hold discussion on theissue and move ahead. The problem would affect the industrialgrowth of the state if no concrete step is taken in time," hewarned.

Patil said that the government ran special campaignincluding revenue campaign, campaign against adulterationwhich delivered positive results.

On the industrial progress, he said several companieslike saint gobain, Honda motorcycle and scooters India pvt ltdwere setting up their plants in Bhiwadi and Tapukda region inAlwar while one of the biggest MNCs of the world was settingup cement plant in Chittorgarh.

Patil said that almost 39 per cent of Delhi-Mumbaicorridor is proposed to pass through Rajasthan and all theseprojects and planning will generate thousands of jobopportunity and accelerate industrial growth in the state.