Case Study: India.

Abstract

This case study deals with the city of Jaipur, Rajasthan. The Government of Rajasthan has adopted a State Water Policy, which outlines a framework for sustainable development and efficient management of the water resources of the state. With respect to drinking water it requires: the gradual increase of water rates to support the urban and rural water supply piped schemes, increase of the budget allocation for upgrading the domestic water supply, ensuring water quality and encouraging private sector participation. State ownership of all the water resources within the State and introduction of abstraction licensing are also foreseen in the State Water Policy as well as introduction of necessary legislation for catering for the weaker sections of the population.

Even though the State Water Policy articulates the need for reforms and states the policy objectives, a major concern is that these have not been translated into action. This study therefore represents a 'pre-regulation' study and is understood to be fairly representative of unregulated public providers. It is compared with the electricity sector which has recently started the process of regulation and which also demonstrates the extent of the challenge.

Citation

Center for Water Science, Cranfield University, UK, 8 pp.

Case Study: India.

Published 1 January 2005