Chennai: Describing pricing of natural resources like water as a ‘highly sensitive matter’, especially for agriculture, the Tamil Nadu Government today opposed the draft National Water Policy-2012 as it was considered a gross infringement on the powers of the states.
Delivering his customary address to the State Assembly, Governor Dr K Rosaiah said the draft policy lays emphasis on the pricing of water and contemplates the setting up of an Authority to fix water tariff.
“The Tamil Nadu government considers this to be an ‘infringement’ on the powers of the state governments”, he added.
Noting that water was a state subject, Dr Rosaiah said states should have the freedom to take decisions with regard to their water resources.
He said on the suggestion of incentivising states to undertake reforms on the lines contemplated in the draft policy, the Governor said such a move should not result in tying up the release of Central assistance with water pricing decisions as condtionality.
“The pricing of natural resources like water is a highly sensitive matter, particularly for agriculture, since it affects the lives of millions of farmers. The state must necessarily adopt a cautious approach”, he added. (PTI)
