Indian federalism and water resources

In the Indian federal system the centre has not made much use of the potential for legislation and executive action given to it by the Constitution in respect of inter‐state rivers and river valleys. The River Boards Act 1956 has remained a dead letter. There is no real river basin authority and there has been no basin‐wide planning. The conflict‐resolution mechanism needs some improvements. Further, the constitutional provisions need to be reviewed in the light of the environmental, social and other concerns which have acquired great importance in recent years, as also the newer ideas of greater participation by the people in the management of community resources.