Ambedkar's Contribution to Water Resources Development

339 Pages·2016·4.25 MB·English

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Ambedkar's
Contribution to
Water Resources
Development

A Research Project by
Central Water Commission

Ministry of Water Resources,
River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation,
CENTRAL WATER COMMISSION
NEW DELHI

Central Water Commission
Ministry of Water Resources
River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation
Sewa Bhawan, R.K. Puram
New Delhi 110066

Ambedkar's Contribution to Water Resources
Development
© Central Water Commission
All rights reserved
First Published, 1993
Second Edition, 2016

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Message
It is a divine opportunity for me to
write a few lines on Dr B.R.
Ambedkar on his 125th Birth
Anniversary, a tribute to a great
social reformer, a distinguished
economist, a learned professor, a
brilliant lawyer, reputed author
and a great political leader, but
above all an outstanding water resources visionary
as he left imprint in the water resources sector which
very few of us know about his contribution to this
sector as the nation recognises him as the father of
constitution.
My Ministry is especially indebted to this great
man of India and personally I have no hesitation to
write that Dr Ambedkar is also father of water
resources sector due to his invaluable contribution
in evolving and framing various policies for this
sector during pre and post-independence period
since 1942 onward. I personally salute this great
man for being the founding father of one of my
present prestigious institution i.e. Central Water
Commission in the form of Central Waterways,
Irrigation and Navigation Commission (CWINC),
while being Labour Member of the Viceroy’s
Executive Council in year 1945.
In May 1945, Dr Ambedkar said prophetically
about CWINC “I visualise that the growth of this body
in course of time, into a very big organisation with its
activities spread over the entire length and breadth of
India, and its assistance and advise eagerly sought
by all provinces and states, to the end that the natural
resources of any region may be exploited for maximum
benefit and unified development.” This unambiguous
vision on this organisation gives a glimpse of his
foresightedness for the future of water resources
sector in India.
Dr Ambedkar evolved a new water and power
policy during 1942-46 to utilise the water resources
of the country to the best advantage of everybody
and the Tennessee Valley Scheme of USA was an
ideal model to emulate. He rightly visualised that
only multipurpose project can be a fine prospect of
the control of the river, a prospect of controlling
floods of securing a fine area for perennial irrigation
with resultant insurance against famine, much
needed supply of power and uplifting the living
standard of poverty stricken people of India.
Dr Ambedkar was instrumental in evolving
multipurpose approach for water resources
development on the basis of river valley basin, and
introduction of the concept of river valley authority
which are summarily now a days termed as
Integrated Water Resources Management.
Multipurpose use of water resources for the regional
development of the entire river valley basin was the
key element of his new water policy. Dr Ambedkar
also emphasised on a need for proper rehabilitation
and resettlement plan for the project affected
regions. While summing up these points, Dr
Ambedkar reminded the provinces of their collective
responsibility and urged upon them the need to put
their shoulders together for the task. Dr Ambedkar
clearly emphasised that this would be possible only if
the provinces offered their fullest co-operation and
agreed to override the provincial barriers which had
held up their progress and prosperity for so long
which can be an instrument for solving the inter-
state water sharing issues even today also by
riparian States.
The river valley projects which were under the
active consideration of the Labour Department
during 1944-46 were Damodar River Valley Projects,
the Sone River Valley Projects, the Mahanadi (the
Hirakud Project) and the Kosi and others on river
Chambal and rivers of the Deccan. These projects
were conceived essentially for multipurpose
development with flood control, irrigation,
navigation, domestic water supply, hydropower and
other purposes. The Damodar River Valley Projects
and Hirakud Multipurpose Project are standing
monuments in the memory of this great visionary.
Dr Ambedkar was an expert in constitutional
matters, which helped the Labour Department to
evolve alternative ways within the framework of the
provisions of the 1935 Act when he was made the
Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian
Constitution, the country had the benefit of his
knowledge and experience. This was especially useful
in making provisions about issues related to inter-
state water resources in the Indian Constitution. In
this context we examine the role played by Dr
Ambedkar in the light of his experience in evolving
solutions agreeable to all concerned in the case of
multipurpose projects.
Dr Ambedkar’s this line of thinking, was also
reflected in the framing of the new constitution for
independent India. The new constitution for Country
was benefited from the influence of Dr Ambedkar,
who was the Chairman of its Drafting Committee,
especially as regards independent India’s water
policy. The Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956 and
the River Boards Act, 1956 are a well thought vision
of Dr Ambedkar to deal with the matters of the inter-
state rivers. The former provides, in the words of its
preamble, “for the adjudication of disputes relating to
the waters of inter-state rivers and river valley.” The
River Boards Act provides for the regulation and
development of Inter-State rivers valley, in terms of
Entry 56.
It is almost impossible to pen down his invaluable
contribution in development of water resources
sector, and my Ministry will ever remain indebted to
him. It is an iota of respect to pay the tribute on the
occasion of 125th birth Anniversary of the legendary
for his remarkable gift to India in the form of well
thought provisions related to water policy in Indian
Constitution and his unmatched thinking in shaping
the water resources development of India. The
second edition of this book will help administrators
and policy makers to understand the background of
Indian Water Policy in right perspective.

14th April, 2016

(UMA BHARTI)
Union Minister
Ministry of Water Resources,
River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation
Govt. of India