Role of state market and community in groundwater governance a study of Punjab

Abstract

The study attempts to provide a comprehensive understanding of groundwater governance in Punjab locating it within the framework of state, market community debate. In doing so it tried to understand as to how groundwater resource has become a subject of politics in the state. It analyzes different policies associated with groundwater in Punjab since the1970s and looked at the continuity and shifts that have taken place in the last three decades. Based on in-depth field study using mixed method approach in the two blocks of Hoshiarpur district- Hoshiarpur1 and Garshankar, it examined the functioning of informal water sharing institutions shared tube wells and water markets - at the village level and identified factors that influenced the functioning of these institutions. newlineThe study argued that how over a period of time policies like free electricity and minimum supporting prices (MSPs) turned into an electoral issue for different political parties and indirectly impacting groundwater condition in different states including Punjab. By undertaking a content analysis of legislative assemby debates ,the study tried to understand the political discourse that emanated in the Assembly among political leadership over groundwater. The study concluded that, due to the absence of a strong political will, the state do not have a comprehensive state groundwater act in place. Reflecting on the dynamics of shared well, a kinship based and groundwater market, study revealed that such informal community based practices are mostly prevalent among small and marginal farmers in the region, helping them to address paucity of water needed for irrigation and drinking purpose which is economically viable. newline newline