Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'How will the monsoon be this time?' that was published in Newsband

How will the monsoon be this time?

Everyone is eager to know as to what kind of monsoon we will experience this time. India Meteorological Department (IMD) is trying to forecast as to what will be the nature of the monsoon this time. For agriculture especially, the distribution of rainfall across the season is vital. We must be prepared for any possibility by conserving water and harvesting as much rainwater as feasible

The entire country is already in the grip of a power and water shortage that would be rendered worse if the monsoon is not up to the mark. The next government should take this up on a bipartisan level and try to come up with some long term program.

Sharad Pawar has actually benefited from the heavy rainfall we witnessed last year with the agri-ministry all blushy. It could be a tough time ahead for the next agriculture minister at the center.

Rain or no rain, a strong economy can sustain all till the troublesome period exists; however in India, the first reaction would unfortunately be a surge in farmer suicides, which is a very derogatory phenomenon for a nation. We should be prepared for the possibility of a bad monsoon on a war-footing through a collaborative effort. What we need is not ‘defamatory rhetoric’ or high-flown commitments but a pragmatic approach to the problem which can negatively impact the livelihoods of many marginalised farmers and resultantly impoverish them

To face the monsoon deficiency, on a war footing basis, all tanks, water bodies, canals should be desilted, widened, to save water for irrigation and drinking water. Water flowing into ocean could be diverted if possible into tanks, at least on a sample basis. Army, MNREGS, NGOs, General public could be used in this unique effort.

It is high time we introspected the need of laying down a water conservation law which incorporates provisions to set up a commission to keep track on water misuse vested with impunity power to discharge their duties without discrimination as the water is getting scarce due to exploitation of underground water and a nexus/collusion between corporates and bureaucracy.

There will be lot to think about for the next government as things won't be easy and last thing one want is another coalition government. The common man of the country has to wait and see if a change in rule at the centre can provide necessary support by all means in worrying times. Hope the new government can keep up their promises and act swiftly to tackle all the problems through wise decisions and reforms, which is much needed for the progress of this nation.