The Privatisation of Water

Convenors: Indian Social Action Forum (INSAF) · Parivartan · Manthan Adhyayan Kendra · SANDRP

The last few years have seen the intensification of the push for restructuring in the water sector and at present at least 18 states in the country are undergoing private sector participation at different levels. This has followed the initiation of the post-1991 economic reforms process. Part of this agenda includes privatisation of public assets and of common property resources. Trends in the past 15 years indicate that reforms have largely benefited the political and economic elites, including national and transnational corporations. The privatisation of natural resources including water is following the trend in other sectors without addressing crucial issues of equity, sustainability and institutions. Despite the rhetoric that these issues will be addressed, all state governments are bending towards the dominant neo-liberal trend in economic policy which accords a prime place for the private sector.

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