Meghalaya water policy on anvil, says Conrad K Sangma

SHILLONG: The Meghalaya government has prepared a State Water Policy that will soon be placed in the public domain for suggestions, chief minister Conrad K Sangma said on Thursday.
"The issue of water crisis is a global cause of worry and through the creation of the Jal Shakti ministry at the Centre and the state of Meghalaya having its own State Water Policy, there shall be a focused approach on this issue," he said, after inaugurating an international seminar on 'Understanding Water Crisis: The Way Forward', organized by Synod College, Shillong, in collaboration with the PA Sangma Foundation and Meghalaya Basin Development Authority.
Prasing the Synod College for having the seminar on a subject that is of much concern throughout the world, he said the event comes about just in time when the state is all set to have its own water policy. "There have been multiple departments and organizations dedicated for this important commodity of nature. But the problem of water crisis is alarming everywhere and it is about time that the seriousness of the situation is understood by everyone," the CM said.
Giving a brief insight into the State Water Policy, which is set to be presented in the next cabinet meeting, the CM said the policy takes a holistic approach to water and encompasses budgeting, prioritizing and equitization of water supply and protection and conservation of catchment and spring shed areas.
Expressing optimism for getting support and cooperation from the people once the policy is in public domain, he said, "Having water professionals and creating awareness in villages with active participation of the public will determine the success of the policy."
The CM said having check dams and water reservoirs in villages with a decentralized system of management involving local bodies will mitigate the problem of water crisis. "There is a need to create a decisive policy on the pollution of water sources and bodies," he added. He expressed hope that the deliberations and suggestions made at the seminar will reflect in the State Water Policy which will benefit the state and the nation.