Lok Sabha Question No. 3868 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-08
Subject: Regulation on Use of Water
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3868

ANSWERED ON 08.12.2016

## REGULATION ON USE OF WATER

## 3868. SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR

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

(a) whether the Government is working on a legislation to regulate the use of fresh water and persuade farmers to buy treated water for irrigation, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government also plans to create a market for treated water and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has made any efforts to persuade industries and oil refineries along the river Ganga and Yamuna to recycle their water, if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has directed all the States to frame laws or executive notifications specifying  the  basis  for  water  allocation  among  different  segments  of  river  basins  in  their jurisdiction, if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether the Government proposes to bring a national water conservation policy to address the acute scarcity of water in the country, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a) & (b) The Central Government has prepared a draft National Water Framework Bill, 2016 and circulated  it  to  all  States/UTs  and  concerned  Central  Ministries  for  obtaining  their  comments thereon. This draft Bill seeks to provide an overarching national legal framework with principles for protection, conservation, regulation and management of water resources including appropriate treatment and use of wastewater.

Further,  Central  Water  Commission  and  Central  Ground  Water  Board  have  also  prepared  the "General Guidelines for Water Audit & Water Conservation" in December, 2005 for three main sectors of water use viz. irrigation, domestic and industrial. The objectives of these guidelines are to introduce, standardize and popularize the audit system for conservation and improvement of  water  use  efficiency.  These  guidelines  were  circulated  to  all  the  State  Governments  for formulation of their own region specific, project specific, system specific and service specific guidelines. Central Water Commission has also prepared "Guidelines for Improving Water Use Efficiency in Irrigation, Domestic & Industrial Sectors", 2014.

(c) Yes, Madam. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed on 17.08.2016 between  this  Ministry  and  Indian  Oil  Corporation  Ltd.  regarding  reuse  of  treated  effluent released from sewage treatment plant located in Yamuna river bank in Mathura-Vrindavan area, for non-potable purposes in Mathura Refinery.

(d)  This  Ministry  has  not  issued  any  directions  to  the  States  to  frame  laws  or  executive notifications specifying the basis for water allocation among different segments of river basins in their jurisdiction.

(e) The National Water Policy, 2012 formulated by this Ministry has made several recommendations  for  water  conservation  and  to  address  the  scarcity  of  water  in  the  country. Some of the key recommendations are:

- Considering  the  existing  water  stress  conditions  in  India  and  the  likelihood  of  further worsening of situation due to climate change and other factors, water resources projects should  be  planned  as  per  the  efficiency  benchmarks  to  be  prescribed  for  various situations.
- Conservation  of  rivers,  river  corridors,  water  bodies  and  infrastructure  should  be undertaken  in  a  scientifically  planned  manner  through  community  participation.  The storage capacities of all water bodies and water courses may be managed in an integrated manner  to  balance  the  flooding,  environment  and  social  issues  as  per  prevalent  laws through planned development of urban areas, in particular.
- Encroachments and diversion of water bodies (like rivers, lakes, tanks, ponds, etc.) and drainage channels (irrigated area as well as urban area drainage) must not be allowed, and wherever it has taken place, it should be restored to the extent feasible and maintained properly.
- The water resources infrastructure should be maintained properly to continue to get the intended benefits. A suitable percentage of the costs of infrastructure development may be set aside along with collected water charges, for repair and maintenance.

The Government has set up the National Water Mission with the objective of conservation of water, minimizing wastage and ensuring its more equitable distribution both across and within the States, through integrated water resources, development and management.

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