By IANS,
New Delhi : The water resources ministry will observe Nov 19, the birth anniversary of late prime minister Indira Gandhi, as Water Conservation Day to create awareness about the need to conserve water, an official said Friday.
According to an official spokesman, Water Resources Minister Harish Rawat will chair a function in the capital Nov 19, which will include a technical presentation by the Central Water Commission, the Central Ground Water Board and Delhi Jal Board on water conservation.
Stake-holders, including non-government organisations and resident welfare associations, will present their views on ways to conserve water. Seminars and discussions will also be held in other parts of the country on water conservation.
Indira Gandhi’s birth anniversary is also observed as National Integration Day. The ministry has prepared draft of new water policy which is awaiting approval from National Water Resources Council (NWRC).
The draft policy says that a holistic and inter-disciplinary approach to water-related problems was missing and public agencies tend to take decisions without consulting stakeholders, often resulting in poor and unreliable service characterised by inequity.