The MeghalayaCabinet has approved a draft water policy to address water usages, issues ofconservation and protection of water source in the state.
The Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma discussed the various aspects of the policy before approving the draft policy.
DeputyChief Minister Prestone Tynsong said that all issues related to utilization ofwater and livelihood and how to preserve water bodies have been outlined inthis policy including community participation in the implementation of thispolicy by constituting a water sanitation village council at the village level.
The statewater resources department has drafted the policy in consultation with expertsin water conservation and protection of water bodies. "Meghalaya receives a lotof rainfall being a hilly state but the same water cannot be retained and allwater reaches Bangladesh in no time, said Deputy CM Tynsong.
The need to optimize usage and conservation of water, steps needed to protect water bodies and water sources including ground-water and protection of catchment and springshed areas have also been discussed on the policy.
The Meghalayagovernment has also launched the Jal Shakti mission to address the problemsrelated to water.
The financedepartment's proposal to hike the salary of chairman and members of theMeghalaya Public Service Commission has also been approved by the cabinet basedon the recommendations of the fifth Meghalaya Pay Commission.
