Chapter 2 - Kerala Govt Logo

Chapter 2Policy, Legislation and Regulationsupport to Local Self Governments in water sector. Water Users Association /Group andsuch other informal organizational mechanisms shall be considered for facilitatingsustainable and equitable distribution of water resources.The Panchayati Raj institutions shall be capacitated for fulfilling their responsibilities inwater and sanitation sector as envisaged in the Constitutional amendments.The water charges for various uses shall be fixed in such a way that they cover at least theoperation and maintenance charges for providing the service. The subsidy on water rates tothe disadvantaged and poorer sections of the society shall be continued.The policy also envisages new enactments to include the aspects of the water rights,prioritization of water use, groundwater exploitation, bulk supply, water harvesting, transferof irrigation systems to users, use of irrigation water for drinking purpose, water pricing andsubsidy norms, water conservation and harvesting, reconstitution of institutional mechanismetc. In the context of Local Governments, Micro-watershed as a planning unit is one of the keyrecommendation of this policy, which could be adopted for mainstreaming natural resourceconsiderations into development planning.2.3.1.3. Kerala Biotechnology PolicyIt is designed to catalyze the development and application of BT, taking advantage of theState‟s resources and emphasizing its specific needs while meeting global requirements. Thepolicy is aimed to ensure rapid exploitation of pipeline technologies and opportunitiesavailable in the State to products and processes and to promote the sustained build-up of anelite knowledge cadre and knowledge base through the strengthening and creation ofeducational and R&D institutions, establishing infrastructure and putting in placeadministrative, regulatory, legal and financial framework conducive for investment and growthof BT enterprises, for the economic development and human welfare.The specific objectives and goals are :Create a biotech knowledge base and human resources by establishing world-class centresof education and R&D in biotechnology by upgrading existing institutions and/or organizingnew entities in the public and private sectorsApply biotechnology tools to:(1) enhance the value with adequate assurance of quality in the State‟s export-orientedresources such as spices and related plantation crops, sea foods and marine resources;(2) upgrade productivity and evolve new application in rubber, coconut, tuber crops anddevelop novel internationally competitive products;(3) ensure the sustainable and eco-friendly exploitation of the State‟s forest, animal andmarine wealth;(4) boost the State‟s renowned health care practices of Ayurveda by synergising traditionalknowledge with the scientific validation and technical product profiling and clinical database and by evolving means to conserve and substantially use one of world‟s most-valuedbiodiversity treasures located in the State.(5) promote traditional tribal and ethnic knowledge in medicine and other areas of humanwelfare by scientific validation and facilitating intellectual property rights.