Newmai News Network
Shillong | February 9
The Water Resources Department of Meghalaya is waiting for the state government’s approval in issues pertaining to various sub-committees constituted with regards to the state’s draft water policy.
“The water policy is still in the public domain and we are awaiting approval from the state government for the various sub-committees formed that will be doing their part and take necessary action in the matter,” Chief Engineer, Water Resources WMM Law, told Highland Post.
Informing that the department has sent the proposal for the approval of the various sub-committees in December last year, Law however said that till date the department has not received any response from the state government.
He also said that there will many challenges including studies and test that need to be conducted to successfully implement the water policy which will address the water problem in Meghalaya.
When asked how soon this will be done, Law stated that it cannot be said since there many things in the entire matter that are still absent like laboratories, experts, etc.
A few days ago Water Resources Minister H. Brolding Nongsiej was not ready to divulge anything on the mater but just stated that he will be sitting very soon to discuss the same.
Last year, the Meghalaya cabinet became the first state to approve a draft water policy to address water issues, conservation, and protection of water sources in the state.
The draft was passed last year following detailed discussions and deliberation with the state’s Cabinet Ministers.
It may be reminded that Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said, "The policy intends to achieve sustainable development, management and use of water resources with community participation. This will improve health and livelihood and reduce vulnerability among the people. This will also assure of good governance for present and future generations through integrated water resources management and environmental sustainability."
"Issues such as the protection of catchment areas and river pollution have also been outlined in the policy.
Community participation is what we are looking for in as we want to reach to the villages with this policy," he added.
Tynsong also said that the committees will be formed at the village level and the issue of groundwater will also be looked into through this policy. Also, the department will monitor the quality of the water to check if it has a high content of iron or if it is acidic.
