Australian model highlighted at summit
Karlene Maywald, Former Minister and Chair of the National Water Commission, has highlighted that reforms on water in India was crucial to the world.
Speaking at the CII 4th Water Innovation Summit, held 5 Oct 2018, she underlined the importance of a strong leadership to promote collective agreement between states.
Maywald also called upon the industry to work with the farmers in developing a business model which facilitates a bankable investment on farmers which would lead to sustainability.
The International Adviser to South Australian Government lauded the Water Institute for providing the industry with tools like WATSCAN and WatSmart which helped the industry manage water at a local level inclusive of the local community.
Maywald spoke about the management of water by private sector in Australia which led to improved efficiency of the system by developing a profitable financial model.
Further emphasizing, U P Singh, Secretary in Ministry of Water Resources, called on the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Industry to initiate a nation-wide movement on water conservation.
He explained the grave situation of water in the country citing the increasing interstate disputes that are being addressed in the ministry every day.
Singh said that the increase in frequency and amplitude of extreme events over the past few years have reduced the efficiency of surface storages.
“Hence, emphasis has to be on replenishment of sub surface storages,” he stressed.
Singh expressed his concern on the excessive draft of groundwater in the Ganga basin which has hampered the baseflow in the basin during lean periods.
CII honored the industry with awards.
For exemplary and innovative work undertaken in the field of Water Management – DCM Shriram Ltd, Mahindra & Mahindra Limited (Auto, Farm & Agri Sector), Bajaj Corp Limited and RBS Services India Private Limited were adjudged as the winners in Beyond the Fence Category of the National Awards for Excellence in Water Management 2018.
Among others: Himadri Speciality Chemicals Limited, Bindals Papers Mills Limited, Hindustan Zinc Limited Dariba Smelter Complex, ITC Limited Paper Boards & Specialty Papers Division, Orient Paper & Industries Limited (Unit of CK Birla Group), Solaris Chemtech Industries Limited, Talwandi Sabo Power Limited, Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited and Vedanta Limited – Cairn Oil & Gas were adjudged as winners in “Within the fence” category. fiinews.com
