Rajasthan State Water Policy (1999)

The Rajasthan State Water Policy is governed by the state's perspectives on utilising all available water resources, surface and ground, in a judicious and equitable, as well as sound economic manner. The policy has been formulated with the following water resources development and management objectives:

• Development of all utilizable water resources to the maximum possible extent, including surface water - local and imported - groundwater and waste water, for optimal economic development and social well-being.
• Assuring an integrated and multi-disciplinary approach to planning, evaluation, approval and implementation of irrigation and drainage projects, including river basin management, of surface and ground water.
• Optimisation of water resources exploitation and raising the level of reliability of supplies through conjunctive use of surface and ground water.
• Judicious and economically sound allocation of water resources to different sectors, with drinking water supply as a first priority.
• Optimum utilisation of water resources to maximise production in all user sectors.
• Providing flood protection and drainage facilities, as well as assuring minimal supplies during drought periods.
• Maintenance of water quality at acceptable standards and reduction of water resources' pollution by urban and industrial sewage.
• Ensuring proper functioning of existing structures, conveyance systems and other assets through adequate maintenance and operation.
• Minimising adverse impacts of water resources development on the natural environment and on population affected by project implementation works.
• Promoting beneficiaries' participation in all aspects of water planning and management, with particular emphasis on Water User Associations intended to manage and maintain irrigation systems, both physically and financially.
• Motivating and encouraging water conservation through appropriate and socially acceptable water rates, introduction of water-saving devices and practices in all sectors, and educational campaigns.
• Advancing the technological and scientific level of all the staff in the water sector through intensification of applied research, technology transfer, training and education.
• Ensuring well coordinated and efficient decision making, planning, design, execution and operation and maintenance activities among all GOR agencies.
• Facilitating private initiative in development, operation and management of water projects.
• Emphasis to be given for recharge of ground water aquifers to mitigate the crisis of drinking water supply and demand of drinking water supply and for industrial and other purposes.

In the planning and operation of systems, water allocation priorities shall be drinking water, irrigation, power generation and industrial and other uses in that order. However, these priorities might be modified if necessary in particular regions with reference to area specific considerations, and they may be different in the context of allocating water to existing consumers than in the context of planning the development of water resources for new consumers.

A detailed methodology for multi-priority analysis shall be developed for decision making in the Central Planning Authority to enable prioritisation in water resources planning and management. The demands of drinking water, irrigation, power generation, industrial and other uses shall be studied scientifically for appropriate development and allocation of funds.

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