Kerala has come out against the idea of creating an “overarching national legal framework of general principles on water sector,” which is an item on the agenda of the 14th National Conference of Water Resources and Irrigation Ministers in progress in New Delhi. Addressing the conference of the Ministers in the national capital, Kerala Minister for Water Resources P.J. Joseph said no such change in the laws governing the water sector was essential since the Constitution and existing legal provisions were sufficient to address issues related to the water sector. “However, necessary unified managerial guidelines can be prepared for management of water resources and a national forum of Water Resources and Irrigation Ministers of States would be a good platform to resolve differences and issues as they emerge,” the Minister said. A copy of his speech was released here by his office on Wednesday. He told the meeting that the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, in its interim award, had awarded Kerala only 30 tmc of Cauvery water against the State’s demand of 99 tmc of water due to the State for the sub-basins of Kabini, Bhavani and Pampar. He sought the Union government’s support for completing the investigation and preparation of detailed project reports of the Attappady and Pambar projects. Mr. Joseph said one problem in Kerala was underutilization of irrigation capacity over the years due to limited resources for the upkeep and maintenance of the capacity already created. Most of the medium and major irrigation projects in the State were constructed more than 30 years ago and they required constant maintenance, repairs, and upgrading. He sought Central assistance for this purpose. He said the State government was in the process of developing an Integrated River Basin Plan for all the 44 river basins in the State. This plan would combine the water requirement for irrigation, drinking water purposes, and industry and also steps needed for pollution abatement. He sought Central assistance for conducting a detailed study, preparing the plan, and also implementing it.