ABSTRACT
The Government of Rajasthan, the largest and most water-scarce state in the Indian Union has adopted a State Water Policy that outlines a framework for sustainable development and efficient management of the water resources of the state. With respect to drinking water the state requires: the gradual increase of water rates to support the urban and rural water supply piped schemes, increase of the budget allocation for upgrading the domestic water supply, ensuring water quality and encouraging private sector participation. State ownership of all the water resources within the state and the introduction of abstraction licensing are also foreseen in the State Water Policy as well as the introduction of necessary legislation to cater for the needs of the economically weaker sections of the population.
