The National Water Policy has recommended the legislation to formally allow use of water and fix its rates by issuing licences to industrial units. The policy strongly recommended the government that the concept of carry over water dams should be seriously considered to overcome water shortage.
National Water Policy report, copy of which was made available to Business Recorder, further recommended that water rights and allocation of the provinces should be ensured in accordance with the 1991 water accord.
Regarding the issues pertaining to the industrial sector, the final report said that industry currently uses only two percent of the total water but it is expected to double by the year 2025. Most industrial water is derived from privately owned wells, although a substantial amount is also taken from the canal system.
It stated that water to the industrial sector should be available on priority basis but a study should be undertaken for legislation to formally allow and define the use of water and water rates for industrial use.
Regarding the integrated planning and development of water resources, the report recommended that the country's irrigation system has now reached a mature stage where the concept of carry over storage, being used world-wide, needs to be seriously considered to overcome drought.
It is pertinent to mention here that the construction of carry over dams are the long standing demand of the Sindh province, which, according to province's view, can resolve the controversial Kalabagh dam issue.
The report further recommended the government not to consider commercial navigation in the rivers, inter-rivers links and canal system because it is neither economically nor technically feasible.
Regarding the maintenance of supply system, it stated that the irrigation system is in progressively deteriorated condition because of inadequate funding caused partly by inadequate irrigation charge (Abiana), forced over-delivery of supplies through the channels, etc.
It recommended the government to simplify the water charges assessment, reorganise the water collection system, make adequate annual budgetary provisions for proper maintenance of the system and to expedite action to make the organisation financially self-sustaining and self-sufficient to the extent of recovering full O&M charges for properly maintaining canals and drains.
Regarding the rural water supply and sanitation, the policy said that the rural water supply and sanitation should be charged.
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