Water security: Assessing the role of reforms related to independent regulatory authorities in India

Abstract

Multiple problems in India’s water sector necessitated governance reforms in the sector. Independent regulatory authorities in water (W-IRAs) are arrowheads of these reforms. Analysis of W-IRAs and related reforms is needed to assess their implications on ‘water security and sustainability’. This chapter presents findings of such an analysis, namely, of legal documents, of the W-IRA functioning, and lessons from the regulatory interventions by the authors. The analysis, using an evolved framework, encompasses: (a) system for tariff determination, (b) financial regulation, and (c) regime of water rights. The paper concludes that replication of current W-IRA model may aggravate the threats to water security and sustainability.