The state govt has launched preparations to implement the Centre’s newly introduced State Water Reforms Framework (SWRF), a comprehensive mechanism that will assess states and Union territories on water governance, infrastructure, digitalisation and community participation.In a letter, the water resources department has directed key departments and agencies to nominate senior nodal officers and begin assessing their preparedness against the framework’s reform indicators. The initiative was rolled out by the ministry of Jal Shakti to drive water governance reforms and promote sustainable management of water resources across the country.The framework comprises 75 indicators spread across five dimensions — policy and regulation, project monitoring, digitalisation and research, infrastructure, and information, education and community engagement. States and Union territories will be evaluated on issues ranging from groundwater regulation, river management and irrigation reforms to sewage treatment, water reuse, digital monitoring systems and public participation.According to the department’s communication, Odisha must undertake a gap assessment and implement necessary reforms before Dec 31, 2026. The state must submit verified responses along with documentary evidence by Jan 31, 2027, after which the Centre will validate the submissions and publish state rankings in April 2027.To ensure compliance, the department has sought support from the housing and urban development department, forest, environment and climate change department, State Pollution Control Board, panchayati raj and drinking water department, tourism department, agriculture and farmers’ empowerment department, and the Central Ground Water Board. Each organisation has been asked to nominate an officer of additional secretary rank or above for coordination and monitoring purposes.“The SWRF has been designed as a reforms-oriented governance tool that encourages states to strengthen policies, regulatory mechanisms, infrastructure management and data-driven decision-making. It will also assess measures such as treated wastewater reuse, floodplain zoning, operation and maintenance policies, rainwater harvesting, water quality monitoring, dam safety and capacity-building programmes,” the letter reads.Under the framework, states would be placed in five performance categories ranging from ‘foundational’ to ‘advanced’ based on composite scores. The Union govt states that the exercise would create a competitive yet collaborative environment among states and accelerate reforms needed to improve long-term water security and climate resilience.
