 "PM Narendra Modi during the inauguration of a section of the Sardar Sarovar project in 2016. The project is the lifeline of Gujarat Photo: PTI")
The water debate in Gujarat is meandering into various channels.
After a delayed and deficient monsoon, coupled with sub-normal groundwater tables and reservoir levels, created acrimonious spats, two amended Bills on water, passed recently in the Assembly, have lent their mite to them.
The Assembly on July 26 passed the Gujarat Domestic Water Supply (Protection) Bill, 2019, and the Gujarat Irrigation and Drainage (Amendment) Bill, 2019. While the state government says the amended Bills have been passed with the only aim of reducing water thefts in both domestic water supply and irrigation, others, including opposition parties and farmers, are wary of the
