Nitin Bassi

Bio: Nitin Bassi is an academic researcher from University of Delhi. The author has contributed to research in topics: Water supply & Water resources. The author has an hindex of 10, co-authored 36 publications receiving 412 citations.

Addressing the Civic Challenges Perspective on Institutional Change for Sustainable Urban Water Management in India

Abstract: In many Indian cities, problem of water scarcity is acute and most of the challenges of water supply and environmental sustainability are still unanswered. The condition is even worse for the informal settlements and slums in these urban areas where basic water and sanitation infrastructure are altogether missing. In order to meet these growing challenges, the present scenario of the public water supply system needs overall reforms, targeted towards improving the institutional, administrative, managerial and financial aspects related to urban water management. The main purpose of this research article is to highlight the institutional change needs for sustainable urban water management in India. The institutional change will involve: (i) one or combination of organizational change measures comprising decentralization, creation of autonomous utilities, private sector participation and community-based management; (ii) directive reforms; and (iii) human resource development. The finer aspects will depend upo...

Solarizing groundwater irrigation in India: a growing debate

Abstract: India is on a path to reduce its carbon emission intensity with a major thrust on increasing the grid-connected solar photovoltaic capacity. However, the carbon footprint in agriculture is on the rise. Heavy subsidies for electricity and diesel to pump groundwater for irrigated agriculture, combined with lack of regulations on water withdrawal, are resulting in both groundwater over-exploitation and increased carbon emissions. Some researchers and practitioners have suggested large-scale promotion of solar pumps for well irrigation as a way to make agricultural growth carbon-neutral and groundwater use in farming sustainable. This article examines whether solar pumps for groundwater irrigation are technically feasible and economically viable in India.

NREGA AND RURAL WATER MANAGEMENT IN INDIA: Improving the Welfare Effects

Abstract: NREGA is being eulogized by many in the academic, development and policy arena as a "silver bullet" for eradicating rural poverty and unemployment, by way of generating demand for productive labour force in villages and private incentives for management of common property resources. The paper argues that the nature of water management activities chosen under the scheme and the callous way in which these activities are planned and implemented in different regions, without any consideration to their physical and socio-economic realities of the regions concerned, are creating several negative welfare effects. The paper identifies three broad and distinct regional typologies in India for deciding the nature of water management interventions for different regions, and proposes the types for water management works under NREGS for each typology, which has the potential to generate labour demand, while producing welfare effects. 1. BACKGROUND Rural poverty and unemployment in India have grown in an unprecedented manner during the last few decades. There is a growing incidence of rural youth shifting from agriculture into unproductive activities, compounding this problem. In order to reverse this trend and to provide livelihood security to the rural unemployed, Government of India (GOI) enacted the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) 1 , 2005. The act provides for 100 days of guaranteed employment to every rural household in a financial year for unskilled manual work. The Act initially notified in 200 districts, at present covers 619 districts (99% of the districts in the country) and expected to benefit some 5.5 crore poorest households in the year 2009-10 (Sharma 2009). With the budget allocation of Rs. 11,300 crore in 2006-07 2 , under the umbrella of the NREGA, this is probably the largest rights-based social protection initiative in the world (Farrington et al. 2007). As per the Schedule I of the Act, the work under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) will be essentially creation of sustainable rural assets. The NREGA builds on earlier experience with Employment Guarantee Scheme (EGS) in Maharashtra (Sjoblom and Farrington 2008). The key component of NREGA is the provision of employment by the state at a prescribed wage for those unable to find alternative employment, which provides a form of social safety net to the rural unemployed people. Long term objectives of the scheme includes; a) enhancement of livelihood security in rural areas, b) creating productive assets, c) protecting the environment, d) empowering rural women and, e) fostering social equity. Apart from affirming the 'right to work', the Act also seeks to ensure that the poor have a say in decisions on the works to be undertaken, so that such works contribute to improvement in their livelihoods (McCord and Farrington 2008).

Annual Report 2008

Abstract: The following section, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Operations, provides an overview of the consolidated financial statements of Fujitsu Limited (the “Company”) and its consolidated subsidiaries (together, the “Group”) for the year ended March 31, 2008 (fiscal 2007). Forward-looking statements in this section are based on management’s understanding and best judgment as of March 31, 2008.

Water and Energy

Abstract: Water and energy are basic components of life, By 2030, Renewable Energy demand will have risen economic growth and human progress. This is a by 60% (WWAP, 2009) and EIA (2010) estimates that reality for the poor as securing access to both water global energy consumption will increase by around and energy is still the cornerstone of alleviating 50% from 2007 to 2035. With rising agricultural output, poverty and breaking up the vicious circles and both water and energy consumption would increase backwardness it creates. As well as for those already which would lead to increased energy and water on the road towards development, where most of the competition within the users and stakeholders. Close growing demand for energy and food arises, and to 19% rise of global agricultural water consumption is where making water and energy more abundant predicted by 2050. Water use might proceed beyond and accessible is an integral part of economic critical sustainable thresholds at the expense of progress that comes through important challenges increased scarcity and degraded water sources. such as matching limited water and energy supplies with increasing demands and managing food security. Pressed by these problems and increased water and energy scarcity many countries realize at some point that progress is not anymore possible without shifting towards other alternatives. Specifically those focusing on managing the resources available in order to preserve the water related ecosystems and the valuable services they provide for people, for the economy and for the preservation of the environment on which all these services depend.

Pluvial flood risk and opportunities for resilience

Abstract: Environmental Sciences Initiative, Advanced Science Research Center at the Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, New York Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona Department of Geography, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering and Center for Urban Environmental Research and Education, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York