Lok Sabha Question No. 3534 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-23
Subject: Law on Use of Fresh Water
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: ASADUDDIN OWAISI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3534

ANSWERED ON 23.03.2017

## LAW ON USE OF FRESH WATER

## 3534.        SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI

Will  the  Minister  of  WATER  RESOURCES,  RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND  GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is planning for a model law on use of fresh water in the country to check water scarcity in near future;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the progress made in this regard, so far; and

(c) the steps taken by the Government towards conservation of rainwater especially within the realm of private property such as houses, shops etc.?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION

(DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a) & (b) A Committee constituted by this Ministry on 28.12.2015 under the Chairmanship of Dr. Mihir Shah has suggested draft National Water Framework Bill, 2016 which inter-alia provides for an overarching national legal framework with principles for protection, conservation, regulation and management of water as a vital and stressed natural resource. The salient features of the draft National Water Framework Bill, 2016 are annexed .

(c) Water being a State Subject, State Governments undertake several measures for augmenting,  conserving  and  utilizing  water  resources  which  inter-alia  include  conservation  of water  resources  in  reservoirs  and  traditional  water  bodies,  rain  water  harvesting  and  artificial recharge of  ground water. This Ministry provides technical and financial assistance to the State Governments  through  various  schemes  and  programmes  viz.  Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi  Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY), Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme, Scheme for Repair, Renovation & Restoration of Water-bodies etc.

Steps taken by this Ministry towards conservation of rainwater include -

- The National Water Policy (2012) formulated by Ministry of Water Resources, RD & GR, inter-alia, advocates conservation, promotion and protection of water and highlights the  need  for  augmenting  the  availability  of  water  through  rain  water  harvesting,  direct use of rainfall and other management measures. The National Water Policy (2012) has been forwarded to all State Governments/ UTs and concerned Ministries/ Departments of Central Government for adoption of the policy.
- CGWB has  also  prepared  a  conceptual  document  entitled  'Master  Plan  for  Artificial Recharge to Ground Water in India' during 2013, involving ground water scientists/experts. The Master Plan envisages construction of about 22.83 lakh artificial recharge structures in rural areas and about 88.00 lakh rain water harvesting structures in Urban areas of the country. The Master Plan has been circulated to all State Governments for implementation.
- Besides,  Central  Ground  Water  Authority  (CGWA)  has  issued  directives  to  the  Chief Secretaries  of  all  States  and  the  Administrators  of  all  UTs  to  take  measures  to promote/adopt artificial recharge to ground water / rain water harvesting. 30 States/UTs have made rain water harvesting mandatory by enacting laws or by formulating rules & regulations or by including provisions in Building bye-laws  or through  suitable Government Orders.
- CGWB is taking necessary steps for creating mass awareness on rainwater harvesting and water  conservation  through  various  activities  such  as  Water  Management  Training Programmes, Workshops, National Painting Competition on Water Conservation, Mass Awareness Campaign on Water Conservation.
- A mobile app 'Jal  Sanchayan' which  is  a  user-friendly  Android  Mobile  Application (built  in  bilingual  both  Hindi  &  English)  comprises  all  components  of  rainwater harvesting in single platform has been launched by this Ministry. It can be downloaded into any Android Mobile Phone  from 'Google  Play  Store'. Chief Secretaries/ Administrators  of    all  the  States/UTs  have  been  requested  for  wide  publicity  of  Jal Sanchyan mobile app.

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(Annexure referred to in reply to Parts (a) & (b) of the Unstarred Question No.3534 to be answered on 23.03.2017 in the Lok Sabha regarding 'Law on Use of Fresh Water')

## SALIENT FEATURES OF DRAFT NATIONAL WATER FRAMEWORK BILL, 2016 *******

The draft National Water Framework Bill, 2016 seeks to provide an overarching national legal framework based on principles for protection,  conservation,  regulation  and  management  of  water  as  a vital and stressed natural resource, under which legislation and executive action on water at all levels of governance can take place.

2. The Bill proposes that every individual should have a right to sufficient quantity of safe water for life within easy reach based on the principles of integrated river basin management.  The States shall hold water resources as a Common Heritage and Public Trust.
3. The draft Bill proposes that the appropriate government shall strive towards rejuvenating river systems with community participation, ensuring:
3. (a) 'Aviral Dhara' - continuous flow in time and space including maintenance of connectivity of flow in each river system;
4. (b) 'Nirmal Dhara' - unpolluted flow so that the quality of river waters is not adversely affected by human activities; and
5. (c) 'Swachh Kinara' - clean and aesthetic river banks with ecological integrity.
4. It  proposes  that  the  appropriate  government  shall  take  all  measures  to  protect  the  ecological integrity  necessary  to  sustain  eco-systems  dependent  on  water  and    should  adopt  people-centered decentralized water management, for both surface and ground water, including local rainwater harvesting, watershed development and participatory irrigation management, shall be prioritized, while recognizing, encouraging and empowering local initiatives.
5. It proposes that the appropriate Government shall take into consideration the following:
8. (a) Water Use and Land Use
9. (b) Appropriate Treatment and Use of Wastewater
10. (c) Standards for Water Quality and Water Footprints
11. (d) Water Use Prioritization.

Provided that these uses of water are consistent with the objective of sustaining aquifers and ecosystem indispensable to long term sustenance of the resource.

6. The  draft  Bill  lays  high  priority  to  Integrated  River  Basin  Development  and  Management, wherein a river basin, including associated aquifers, shall be considered as the basis hydrological unit for planning, development and management of water.  Each State Government shall develop, manage and regulate  basins  of  inter-State  rivers  through  a  River  Basin  Master  Plan  to  be  implemented  by  an appropriate institutional mechanism.
7. It proposes establishment of a River Basin Authority for each inter-State river basin for optimum and  sustainable  development  of  the  inter-State  rivers  and  river  valleys,  with  active  participation  and cooperation by all basin States to ensure equitable, sustainable and efficient utilisation of water resources with emphasis on demand management through conjunctive and integrated use of resources.  Each River Basin Authority shall prepare a Master Plan for the River Basin.
8. The  Bill also proposes  that the appropriate Government  shall  prepare  and oversee the implementation of a Water Security Plan for (a) attainment of sufficient quantity of safe water for life and sustainable livelihoods by every person; and (b) ensuring water security even in times of emergencies like droughts and floods.

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