India issues notice to Pakistan seeking modification to Indus Waters Treaty
The decision of the Government of India to issue a notice to Pakistan on 25 January 2023 seeking a modification in the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960 comes just two days before the sitting of a court of arbitration set up on the dispute over the Kishenganga and Rattle hydroelectric power projects being constructed by India.
After Partition, the headworks of the irrigation projects remained in India while the canals lay in Pakistan. In 1951, both countries sought World Bank funding for irrigation projects on the riparian system. The Bank mediated an accord that took nine years to finalise, with numerous proposals made and subsequent amendments incorporated. On September 19, 1960, India and Pakistan signed the Indus Waters Treaty on sharing of the waters.
Despite being a comprehensive document that covered virtually every aspect of dam construction and water usages, the letter of the Indus Waters Treaty has become somewhat incongruous to the spirit of the treaty. Many of the technical criterion laid out in the treaty no longer conform to the spirit of the treaty, which was to foster cooperation between India and Pakistan, and ensure optimum utilisation of water resources in the Indus rivers basin.
The treaty is not equipped to cater to new techniques, technologies and studies in the building of hydropower projects, which increase their life and efficiency but were not available at the time the treaty was negotiated. (Observer Research Foundation, Financial Express)
New agriculture policy for Punjab by March
Punjab state government has constituted an 11-member committee of agriculture experts for framing a new agricultural policy by March 31, 2023. Even as Punjab’s economy is largely based on agriculture, no government has been able to formulate its agriculture policy. The previous government too had taken up an exercise, but the policy was never notified. The Punjab government has been making continuous efforts to improve welfare of the farmers and the agricultural system of the state.
The Punjab government has been drafting the new agricultural policy keeping in mind the natural resources of Punjab such as ground water, soil health and geographical conditions. In order to improve the economic condition of farmers in the new agricultural policy, special attention will be given to aspects such as valuation of agricultural produce, export and agricultural diversification.
The first government-farmer meeting would be held on February 12 at PAU, Ludhiana. More than 2,500 progressive farmers from every corner of Punjab would participate in this meeting. The new agricultural policy will also include a proposal to adopt basmati as a substitute for parmal paddy and promote basmati exports.
Punjab has been facing an environmental and health crisis, in which fertile land has been turning into non-fertile land. Under the new agricultural policy, the surplus water of the rivers is being considered to be delivered to every farm in Punjab. (The Indian Express)
NGT panel chalks out Yamuna action plan with monthly targets
The high-level committee constituted by NGT for rejuvenation of Yamuna has chalked out a six-month action plan till June 2023, with monthly targets, and the same will be monitored on weekly basis. The high-level committee constituted by NGT for rejuvenation of Yamuna has chalked out a six-month action plan till June 2023, with monthly targets, and the same will be monitored on a weekly basis. The first report of the committee will be submitted to the NGT on January 31, 2023. The Delhi Lt. Governor V.K. Saxena chaired the first meeting of the panel attended by senior officers of the stakeholder departments from the Centre and the Delhi government.
After taking stock of the prevalent situation of water quality in river Yamuna and the various drains in the city, along with the status of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) in the city and dwelling upon the gaps in the actions taken till now, the meeting deliberated upon a concrete future plan of action.
The committee stressed on time bound actions on “right parameters” that includes enhancement of Sewage Treatment Capacity in Delhi and the augmentation of STPs, tapping of drains and treatment of sewage in 44 sub-drains, extension of sewage network in all the 1,799 unauthorised colonies, upgradation of 13 CETPs for treatment, management of industrial effluent, and ensuring minimum environmental flow (e-flow) in the Yamuna by the means of inter-state coordination, amongst others. (The Statesman)
Madhya Pradesh to come up with water policy soon
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the activities for water conservation and management are being carried out with sensitivity and public participation in the state. Irrigation potential in the state was 7,50,000 hectares in 2003-04, which has now increased to 43,00,000 hectares, and the government’s target is to have irrigation potential in 65,00,000-hectare area.
A water policy would be brought soon which will be comprehensive and cover various aspects such as water conservation and more crop per drop. Pipeline and sprinkler irrigation facilities are being provided for economical use of water. Jalabhishek Abhiyan was started in 2007 in the state.
To encourage people’s participation in water management, Jal Sansad, Jal Sammelan and village Jal Yatras were held in all the districts. A large number of Bori Bandhans, check dams, and stop dams were constructed in Jalabhishek Abhiyan. The work of river rejuvenation is also being encouraged in the state. Plantation of trees on both sides of the river was taken as a campaign in the Narmada Seva Yatra. Works worth Rs 50,000 crore are going on in the state under Jal-Jeevan Mission. With this, it will be possible to provide tap water to 46 per cent of the houses. (The Print)
Budget 2023: Accelerating Green Transition through the National Green Hydrogen Mission
India's National Green Hydrogen Mission is a government initiative aimed at promoting the use of hydrogen as a clean and renewable energy source in the country, and it has just received INR 19,700 crore rupees as a part of the national budget 2023. This is to help facilitate the transition of the economy to low carbon intensity and reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports. This mission has the potential to transform the energy sector in India, reducing the country's dependence on fossil fuels and contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable future.
One of the main objectives of the Mission is to increase the production of hydrogen in India. The mission aims to achieve this by promoting the development of hydrogen production technologies such as water electrolysis, steam methane reforming, and biomass gasification. The government is also providing financial and technical support to companies and research institutions working on the development and commercialization of these technologies.
Another important objective is to increase the use of hydrogen as a fuel for various applications, including transportation, industrial processes, and power generation. Hydrogen has the potential to replace fossil fuels in these sectors, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to a cleaner environment. The government is also promoting the development of hydrogen fuel cell technologies, which can store and use hydrogen as a clean and renewable energy source. (Invest India)
This is a roundup of important policy matters from January 1 - January 31, 2023.
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