The Ministry of Finance is considering allocating only 8 percent (Rs 59 billion) of the total proposed federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2018-19 projected at 745 billion while the water policy had proposed at least 10 percent of the PSDP for the sector, it is learnt.
The National Water Policy, yet to be approved though there was general agreement during a recently convened Council of Common Interests meeting with minor amendments to be proposed by provinces, proposed allocating at least 10 percent of Federal PSDP and gradually increasing it to 20 percent by 2030.
According to sources, Water Resources Division had proposed budgeting Rs 203 billion for both hydroelectric and water resources but Finance the Ministry has provided a ceiling of Rs 59 billion.
Secretary Planning, Development and Reforms Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui has already warned that the water crisis is a serious issue for the country and argued that "we need more funds for implementation of National Water Policy in future."
The sources said that the government has proposed Rs 25 billion for construction of Diamer-Basha Dam for next financial year 2018-19.
According to documents available with Business Recorder, as many as six targets would be the focus, as envisaged in National Water Policy: (i) Integrated Water Resources Management approach will be adopted as planning paradigm to overcome water scarcity issue and to cope with future challenges; (ii) Priority will be given to the construction of large/medium/small and recharged dams followed by ''Safe disposal of drainage effluent into sea through Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD-I), II & III''; (iii) Conservation measures (lining of irrigation channels and rehabilitation/modernization of existing irrigation system) will be gradually transferred to the provinces; (iv) Reinvigorated efforts will be made for early completion of projects with physical progress of more then 80 percent so as to lessen the burden of throw-forward; (v) Protection of infrastructure, agricultural lands and Abadis from onslaught of floods under flood control/management program; and (vi) Building climate resilience, resolution of trans-boundary water disputes, demand management, rainwater harvesting, resettlement, reuse of water, reaching ground water are major planned initiatives of water sector.
The documents further revealed that the annual plan 2018-9 intends to implement these measures in consultation and coordination with all stakeholders including federating units. Out of total proposed water sector''s budget for financial year 2018-19, maximum resources have been earmarked for priority development programs/projects as per the order of priority set in National Water Policy.
All efforts would be made to increase the overall water availability at farm gate from 133.50 MAF to 134.50 MAF. This would include surface water supplies through canal withdrawals, canal lining/remodeling, and rehabilitation/modernization of exiting irrigation system, construction of small/medium dams, check dams and retention weirs.
About 6.17 Mhm (50 MAF) of water would be included in the system from underground fresh water aquifer mainly by private tube wells. Water losses of the existing irrigation system would be improved through "water conservation measures."
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