Lok Sabha Question No. 3129 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-03
Subject: Exploitation of Water Resources
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNPURIA

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

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO. † 3129

ANSWERED ON 03 .0 8.201 7

## EXPLOITATION OF WATE R RESOURCES

## †3129. SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNAPURIA

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

(a) whether the Government proposes to work out a plan to regulate excessive exploitation resources including groundwater to check water crisis i n near future;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  adopt  new  technologies  for  better  utilization resources and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has discussed the matter with the Governmen t of Rajasthan; and

(e) if so, the details and the outcome thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a) &(b) To tackle the water crisis in the country, the Central Government has taken the f steps:

- The National Water Policy (2012) formulated by the Ministry of Water Resources, R GR (MoWR, RD & GR), inter - alia, advocates conservation, promotion and prote ction of water and highlights the need for augmenting the availability of water through ra harvesting,  direct  use  of  rainfall  and  other  management  measures.  The  National Policy (2012) has been forwarded to all State Governments/UTs and concer ned Ministries/ Departments of the Central Government for adoption.
- MoWR, RD & GR has also launched 'Jal Kranti Abhiyan' (2015 - 16 to 2017 - 18) in order to consolidate  water  conservation  and  management  in  the  Country  through  a  holisti integrated  approa ch  involving  all  stakeholders,  making  it  a  mass  movement.  'Jal  Gram Yojana'  component  of  'Jal  Kranti  Abhiyan'  envisages  selection  of  two  villages  in  every district, preferably 'over -exploited' or facing acute water scarcity, as 'Jal Grams' to ensure optimum and sustainable utilization of water.

- Circulation of a Model Bill to all the States/UTs to enable them to enact suitab water legislation for its regulation and development which includes provision of r harvesting.  So far,  15  States/UTs  have  adopted  and  implemented  the  ground  wate legislation on the lines of the Model bill.
- Constitution  of  Central  Ground  Water  Authority  (CGWA)  under  'The  Environment (Protection)  Act,  1986'  for  the  purpose  of  regulation  and  control of  ground  water development and management in the Country. So far, CGWA has notified 162 areas in Country for the purpose of regulation of ground water.
- CGWA has also issued advisories to States and UTs to take measures to promote/a artificial recharge of ground water / rain water harvesting. So far, 30 States/UTs hav rain water harvesting mandatory by enacting laws or by formulating rules & regulat by  including  provisions  in  Building  Bye -Laws  or  through  suitable  Government  Orders. CGWB has taken up Aquifer Mapping and Management programme during XII Plan, under the scheme of Ground Water Management and Regulation. The Aquifer Mapping is aimed to  delineate  aquifer  disposition  and  their  characterization  for  preparation  of a specific ground water management plans, with community participation.

(c) & (d) As a matter of Policy, the Government is promoting use of Micro Irrigation (MI) Drip and Sprinkler in the projects that are part of AIBP / CAD & WM programme of Go vernment of India. There is a mandatory condition of including minimum 10% of the command area covered under Micro Irrigation for inclusion in CAD & WM programme. A new scheme of MoWR RD & GR ' Incentivization Scheme for Bridging Irrigation Gap (ISBIG) ' is also being proposed which provides for use of Micro Irrigation (MI) in a minimum 30 %  area in addition t pressurized pipe system for ensuring functioning of irrigation projects at the optimum le

- Department  of  Science  and  Technology  i s  trying  to  promote  R&D  for  providing technological solutions to address various water challenges arising due to low p availability & water scarcity issues. To illustrate the developed solutions sever have  been  supported  in  the  state  of Rajasthan  for  addressing  water  challenges  like  poo water quality (salinity, fluorides) and water scarcity.

(e) Preparation of a conceptual document entitled 'Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water  in  India'  during  2013.  The  Master  Plan  en visages  construction  of  1.11  crore  rain  water harvesting and artificial recharge structures in the Country at an estimated cost of Rs.7 to harness 85 BCM (Billion Cubic Metre) of water. The Master Plan has been circulated to State Gove rnments including Rajasthan for adoption.

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