The government today said there was no proposal for privatisation of water resources, but would encourage public-private partnership (PPP) mode for effective utilisation of the scarce natural resource. Replying to supplementaries in the Rajya Sabha, Water Resources Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said privatisation is not being done and it cannot be done.

Mr Bansal said a river cannot be given to a private party. Mr Bansal said the PPP mode for distribution is being effectively used in several parts of the country, including Salt Lake (Kolkata), Mysore, Hubli, Latur, Haldia and Kolapur. The minister said, though water is a state subject, the proposed policy would act as guideline for state governments to follow.