ISLAMABAD: Federal Government has miserably failed in giving water policy to the country despite lapse of a long period.
Tariff is stated to be a major cause in Government’s failure in announcing the water policy as the provinces are all set to implement their respective tariff but federation has rejected the tariff proposed by the provinces.
Sources said that as many as four meetings have taken place between the federation and provinces on formation of water policy but no positive response has been received from provinces. On the other hand federation is expressing reservations over the water policy proposed by provinces.
Sources said powers have been devolved to provinces following the implementation of 18th Constitutional Amendment and onus lies with the provinces to form policy in collaboration with provinces.
Sources said that federation has proposed for evolving such water policy on which provinces don’t raise any objection and they fully agree over it. Federation will not accept any proposal under which additional financial burden is shifted to the farming community through excessive payment under the head of Aabyana.
Sources told Daily Times that Lahore High Court (LHC) has also stressed for constitution of commission to work out water policy. A draft on comprehensive water policy will be sent to the provinces by the end December this year. Later some decision will be taken in this regard. It is a reality that 98 per cent water in the country is used for agriculture purpose. This issue is persisting since last 10 years and following the devastation caused by floods -2010 the provinces had decided to evolve a consensus water policy in the country. It is pertinent to mention here that minister for water and power had announced a year before to frame water policy within 3 months.
Sources said if provinces don’t agree, then the federation is entitled to form a policy and introduce it in the provinces but the responsibility for implementing this policy rests with the provinces. If federation works out policy and the provinces don’t implement it then it will of no use. The experts said that powers have been delegated to all the provinces, therefore, formation of a comprehensive water policy is must in the prevailing situation.