Centre should leave law making to states: Akhilesh

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Friday said the Centre should leave law making to states.

New Delhi: Opposing a proposal in the National Water Policy to create an over-arching law on water management, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Friday said the Centre should restrict itself to deciding on the principles of such a framework and leave law making to states.

"While the UP government agrees to most of the proposals (in the draft Water Policy), the proposal to create a law on water is a sensitive issue. Water is a state subject according to the Constitution and states have a right to formulate policies keeping in mind their special needs," he said. Yadav`s speech was read out in absentia by state PWD Minister Shivpal Singh Yadav. He said it would be better if the Centre only formulates the basic directive principles for creating such a law. The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister also cautioned that any amendment to the Indian Easement Act, 1882 should be made after discussions with various stakeholders keeping in mind the social scenario in the country. "Existing Acts, such as Indian Easements Act, 1882, Irrigation Acts, may have to be modified accordingly in as much as it appears to give proprietary rights to a land owner on groundwater under his/her land," the draft National Water Policy says. Yadav lamented the long time taken in approving flood control schemes and said the present one year period should be curtailed. "The entire amount for flood control projects should be released to the states in one go," he said. He also demanded intervention of the Centre so that Pancheshwar, Nemure and Karnali dams in neighbouring Nepal could be constructed at the earliest to prevent floods in the state. PTI