Centre adopts National Water Policy 2012 - Roundup of the week's news (December 24 – 30, 2012)

Centre adopts National Water Policy, 2012

Organisations demand for village gram sabhas, wards in cities and civil society groups to be involved in the formulation the national water policy. However chief minister, Jharkhand, opposes the draft policy arguing that water is a state-specific resource that cannot be controlled by means of a uniform law. Bihar too raises a strong objection to water being described as national resource. Many states, including Punjab, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, reject a key provision, an over-arching framework on water laws, in the draft National Water Policy, 2012. However centre adopts the document with an assurance to uphold the states’ Constitutional rights over water management.

Chhattisgarh against implementation of cash transfers

Chhattisgarh chief minister against implementation of direct cash transfer in food commodities, as he feels the existing public distribution system (PDS) is a better option for the poor in the state. Food security law has also been debunked by a discussion paper put together by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).

Probe into illegal mining clearances in Goa

National Green Tribunal orders inquiries against government officials for giving illegal clearances to mining operations in Goa. However government in an attempt to ‘put things in order’ makes three inspections per mine compulsory, while non-working, abandoned mines or mines under prospective working or under reconnaissance permit will be inspected at least once a year.

Bangalore garbage mess grows

Segregation and effective disposal of garbage seems to have broken down with heaps of garbage littered everywhere in Bangalore. Un cleared mounds threaten to affect public health, as no solution seems in sight. From February, Mandur too will shut its doors to the city's waste, as government plans to set up dry waste collection centres (DWCC) across the city to reduce the load sent to the landfill.