Lok Sabha Question No. 4140 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-10
Subject: River Water Disputes
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: M. B. RAJESH

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

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO. 4140

ANSWERED ON 10 .0 8.201 7

## RIVER WATER DISPUTES

## 4140. SHRI M.B. RAJESH

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

(a) whether inter - State disputes over river water are becoming increasingly intense and widesp country and if so, the details thereof along wit h the list of such disputes, State - wise;

(b) whether the Government is unable to provide clean water that can be consumed from the t basis in any single Indian city and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the ground water extraction is gr owing and its levels are now declining steadily in the and if so, the details thereof, State - wise;

(d) whether the Government is aware that the levels in some parts are declining by more t per year and if so, the details thereof, loca tion - wise; and

(e) the steps taken/to be taken to overcome the situtation?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a) On the complaint made by the State Governments, the Central Government has, so far, set up tribunals to settle water disputes among the States under the Inter - State River Water Disputes (ISRWD) Act, 1956. The present status of various inter - State water disputes over the sharing of river wate Annex ure I .

Government of Bihar sent a request on 27.11.2013 under provision of ISRWD Act, 1956 Ministry  for  constitution  of  a  Tribunal  for  adjudication  of  river  water  disputes  relate Negotiations were  carried out by the Chairman, Ganga Flood Control  Commission and the Chairman, Central Water Commission with the States of U.P. and Bihar. It was agreed that the two Stat Bihar would meet periodically and try to solve the issue bilaterally. The dispute has since

State of Odisha has also filed complaint dated 19.11.2017 under Section 3 of ISRWD with  respect  to  Mahanadi  basin.  The  Central  Government  has  constituted  a  Negotiation comprising members from basin States and concerned Ministries of Cen tral Gov rnment, Central Water Commission,  India  Metrological  Department,  National Instituteof Hydrology  for  settlement  of  the dispute through negotiation. The Negotiation Committee held two meetings on 28.02.2017 and and submitted its repor t in which it mentioned that that any further meetings of this Committee

be  fruitful  as  there  had  been  no  participation  from  complainant  State  i.e.  State  of  Od meetings. Accordingly, the Ministry concluded that the dispute cannot be resolved by negotiation a has been decided to constitute a Tribunal for adjudication of the dispute. Draft Cabinet No has been prepared.

The mechanism for settlement of water disputes is already available in th e form of ISRWD Act, 1956. The ISRWD Act, 1956 has been last amended in 2002 whereby adjudication of the water by tribunals has been made time bound. Further, Ministry of Water Resources, River Deve Ganga Rejuvenation adopted a revised Na tional Water Policy (NWP) in 2012. As per Clause 12.2 of Policy, a permanent Water Disputes Tribunal at the Centre should be established to resolv expeditiously  in  an  equitable  manner.  In  this  regard,  a  Bill  has  been  introduced  in ha  on 14.03.2017  to  amend  the  existing  ISRWD  Act,  1956.  The  Bill  has  further  been  referr Parliamentary  Standing  Committee  on  Water  Resources  by  the  Hon'ble  Speaker  vide  orde 14.03.2017  for  examination.  In  this  regard,  three  meetings  of  the Committee  have  been  held  on 16.06.2017, 30.06.2017 and 10.07.2017.

(b) 'Water supplies' is a State subject and as such the Central Government is not involved in providing day- to - day  water  supplies.  The  public  water  supply  system  is  organised  and  maintaine d by the public utilities owned by the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)  or the State Departments such as the P Engineering Department or Agencies such as Water Supply Boards. Though most cities in lndia water supply on 24 x 7 basis, there are certain pilot projects implemented in cities like Hubli -Dharwad in Karnataka  and  Nagpur  in  Maharashtra.  The  water  supply  whether  supplied  on  24  x  7  bas intermittent basis by the public utilities has to be as per the Bureau of lndian Standard (BlS)-Drinking Water Standards lS 10500 - 2012. While  water coming out of the treatment plants or service res treated, however, the quality may deteriorate sometimes before it reaches the household t system is to provide 24 X 7 wat er supply similar to electricity supply in which the pipes are co pressurised with treated water and no household storage is necessary. But such a system is lndia as the community itself does not demand 24 x7 water supply preferr ing to receive water once or twice a day and store it in their own containers and vessels. The households which can a using the point of use treatment units such as filters and R.O. systems. Hence, switching supply requires th e  administrative, social as well as economic analysis, reengineering and change.

(c) to (e) Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) carries out ground water monitoring, four time regional scale through a network of observation wells in t he Country. In order to assess the declin water level on a long term basis, Premonsoon water level data collected by CGWB during P 2017 has been compared with the decadal average (2007 - 2016). The tabular statement of state wise de is give n in Annexure II .

The analysis of water level data indicates that about 61% of the wells monitored ha decline in ground water level largely in the range of 0 -2 m. Decline of more than 4 m has also be observed in pockets of most of the States/ UTs except Aru nachal Pradesh, Goa, Meghalaya, and Tripura The decline in ground water level can be attributed to several factors including growin ground water for utilisation.

Steps taken to control the decline in ground water level include -

·  The  Nati onal Water Policy (2012) formulated by Ministry of Water Resources, RD & GR, in - alia, advocates  conservation,  promotion  and  protection  of  water  and  highlights  the  need  to availability of water through rain water harvesting, direct use of rai nfall and ther management measures. The  National  Water  Policy  (2012)  has  been  forwarded  to  all  State  Governments/  UTs  and Ministries/ Departments of Central Government for adoption.

· CGWB has also prepared a conceptual document entitled 'Mast er Plan for Artificial Recharge to Grou Water  in  India'  during  2013,  involving  ground  water  scientists/experts.  The  Master  Plan  envisages construction of 1.11 crore rain water harvesting and artificial recharge structures in estimated c ost of Rs.79,178 crores to harness 85 BCM (Billion Cubic Metre) of water. The Ma has been circulated to all State Governments for adoption.

·  Central  Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has been constituted under 'The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986' for the purpose of regulation and control of ground water development and manageme Country.  So far, CGWA has notified 162 areas in the Country.

· CGWA has issued advisories to States and UTs to take measures to promote/adopt artificial rechar ge to ground  water  /  rain  water  harvesting.    30  States/UTs  have  made  rain  water  harvesting  m enacting laws or by formulating rules & regulations or by including provisions in Buildin -Laws or through suitable Government Orders.

· This Minis try has circulated a Model Ground Water Bill to all the States/UTs to enable t suitable ground water legislation for its regulation and development which includes provisi harvesting. So far, 15 States/UTs have adopted and impleme nted the ground water legislation on the l of Model Ground Water Bill.

· CGWB has taken up Aquifer Mapping and Management programme (NAQUIM) under the scheme of Ground  Water  Management  and  Regulation.  The  Aquifer  Mapping  is  aimed  to  delineate  a r disposition and their characterization for preparation of aquifer/area specific ground wa plans, with community participation. So far about 6.3 lakh sq.km has been covered under NAQ entire country.

*****

ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  OF  UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  4140  TO  BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2017 IN LOK SABHA REGARDING '  RIVER WATER DISPUTES'

## Status of Inter -State water disputes over the sharing of river water under  Tribunals

Clarification/explanation

States.

dated dated

|   S. No | Name of Tribunal                     | States concerned                                               | Date constitution   | of Present Status                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|---------|--------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|       1 | Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal     | Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh &Odisha | April, 1969         | Award given on July, 1980                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|       2 | Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal - I  | Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka,                        | April, 1969         | Award given on May, 1976                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|       3 | Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal      | Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra             | October, 1969       | Award given on December, 1979                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|       4 | Ravi & Beas Water Tribunal           | Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan                                  | April, 1986         | Report and decision under section 5(2) in April, 1987. sought from the Tribunal under Section of the said Act by the party Presidential Reference 1 of 2004 was on the Punjab Termination of Agree ments Act, 2004. The Hon'ble Supreme Court has pronounced the judgement on Reference in negative. Further, of Haryana has filed IA No. 6 of 2016 No. 6 of 1996 in the matter. The subjudice.                                                                                                                                                                      |
|       5 | Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal      | Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Puduchery                    | June, 1990          | Report and decision given on 5.2.2007 was published vide Notification 19.2.2013. Further, party States and government has sought clarification section 5(3) of the Act. The work on of CWDT u/s 5(3) of the Act could ta ken up as the party have also Appeals against the order of CWDT 5.2.2007 before the Supreme Court .Supreme Court has passed a judgement 09.12.2016 on the admissibility of Appeals filed by the party States and the mainta inability of the Civil such the matter is subjudice.                                                            |
|       6 | Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal - II | Karnataka, Telengana, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra           | April, 2004         | Report and decision given on 30.12. Further report given by the 29.11.2013. However, as per Supreme Order dated 16.9.2011, till further decision taken by the Tribunal on filed by States and Central Government not be published in the official such, matter is -sub judice. Term of the Tribunal was extended for a period years w.e.f. 1 st August, 2014 to address terms of reference as contained in of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, Thereafter, the term of the Tribunal extended twice for one year each viz. for period of one year w.e.f. 01.08.2016 |

by the

dated

Flow by

the

| S. No   | Name of Tribunal                   | States concerned               | Date of constitution                                                                                                                  | Present Status                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|---------|------------------------------------|--------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|         |                                    |                                |                                                                                                                                       | a period of one year w.e.f. matter is under adjudication in the The Government of Telengana has SLP 33623- 26 of 2014 and WP(C) 545 2015 in the Hon'ble Supreme Court in matter. The matter is thus sub -judice.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| 7       | Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal | Andhra Pradesh &Odisha         | February, 2010 However, as per Supreme Court order the date reckoning of constitution of Tribunal is 17.9.2012                        | the of the the w.e.f. Report and decision not given by Tribunal. Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal in its Interim Order 17.12.2013 has directed to constitute - member Protem Supervisory Management and Regulation Committee River Vansadhara to implement its rder. State Govt. of Odisha has filed Special Leave to Appeal (Civil) No.3392 of 2014 with regard to the Vansadhara Water Tribunal Judgement dated 17.12.2013. matter is sub - judice. |
| 8       | Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal   | Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra | November, 2010 However, vide notification dated 13.11.2014 date of reckoning of the constitution of the Tribunal is w.e.f. 21.08.2013 | Report and Decision not given by Tribunal u/s 5(2) of ISRWD Act, 1956.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |

## Annexure - II

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (c) to (e) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4140 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2017 IN LOK SABHA REG ARDING ' RIVER WATER DISPUTES '

| S. No.                 | Name of State   | No.           | Range in m   | Range in m   | Range in m   | Rise   | Rise   | Rise   | Rise   | Rise   | Fall   | Fall   | Fall   | Fall   | Fall   | Fall   |      |      |      |     | Fall   | Fall          | Fall      | Fall   |
|------------------------|-----------------|---------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|------|------|------|-----|--------|---------------|-----------|--------|
| S. No.                 | Name of State   | of well       | Rise         | Fall         | Fall         | 0-2 m  | 2-4 m  | 2-4 m  | >4     | m      | m      | 0-2 m  | 0-2 m  | 2-4 m  | 2-4 m  | >4 m   | >4 m | Rise | Rise |     |        | Wells showing | no change |        |
| S. No.                 | s               | Anal Mi n     |              | Max          | Min          | Max No | %      | No     | %      | %      | No     | %      | No     | %      | No     | %      | No   |      | %    | No  | %      | N o           | %         |        |
| 1                      | Andhra Pradesh  | ysed 751 0.01 | 11.25        | 0.02         | 10.79        | 153    | 20.4   | 19     | 2.5    | 1.6    | 399    | 53.1   | 104    | 13.8   | 60     | 8.0    |      | 184  | 25   | 563 | 75     | 4             | 0.5       |        |
| 2 al                   | Arunach Pradesh | 12 0.32       | 11.28        | 0.68         | 1.2          | 7      | 58.3   | 1      | 8.3    | 8.3    | 3      | 25.0   | 0      | 0.0    | 0      | 0.0    |      | 9    | 75   | 3   | 25     | 0             | 0.0       |        |
| 3 Assam                | 164             | 0.02          | 7.64         | 0.02         | 5.2          | 63     | 38.4   | 6      | 3.7    | 1.2    | 84     | 51.2   | 7      | 4.3    | 1      | 0.6    | 71   | 43   |      | 92  | 56     | 1             | 0.6       |        |
| 4 Bihar                | 625             | 0.01          | 5.25         | 0.01         | 6.32         | 315    | 50.4   | 38     | 6.1    | 1.4    | 218    | 34.9   | 36     | 5.8    | 4      |        | 0.6  | 362  | 58   | 258 | 41     | 5             | 0.8       |        |
| 5 Chandig arh          | 10              | 0.16          | 0.16         | 0.26         | 23.05        | 1      | 10.0   | 0      | 0.0    | 0.0    | 6      | 60. 0  | 2      | 20.0   | 1      | 10.0   | 1    |      | 10   | 9   | 90     | 0             | 0.0       |        |
| 6 Chhattis garh        | 566             | 0.01          | 18.68        | 0.01         | 18.4         | 153    | 27.0   | 41     | 7.2    | 4.4    | 252    | 44.5   | 55     | 9.7    | 39     | 6.9    | 219  |      | 39   | 346 | 61     | 1             | 0.2       |        |
| 7 Dadra & Nagar Haveli | 16              | 0.27          | 8.25         | 0.02         | 4.62         | 3      | 18.8   | 1      | 6.3    | 12.5   | 7      | 43.8   | 2      | 12.5   | 1      | 6.3    | 6    |      | 38   | 10  | 63     | 0             | 0.0       |        |
| 8 Daman & Diu          | 11              | 0.01          | 1.48         | 0.19         | 4.64         | 7      | 63.6   | 0      | 0.0    | 0.0 2  |        | 18.2   | 1      | 9.1    | 1      | 9.1    | 7    |      | 64   | 4   | 36     | 0             | 0.0       |        |
| 9 Delhi                | 94              | 0.05          | 8            | 0            | 8.81         | 23     | 24.5   | 7      | 7.4    | 3.2    | 27     | 28.7   | 16     | 17.0   | 18     | 19.1   | 33   |      | 35   | 61  | 65     | 0             | 0.0       |        |
| 10                     | Goa             | 65            | 0            | 9.05 0.03    | 1.56         | 33     | 50.8   | 14     | 21.5   | 4.6    | 15     | 23.1   | 0 0.0  | 0      |        | 0.0    | 50   |      | 77   | 15  | 23     | 0             | 0.0       |        |

| 11                | Gujarat           | 799       | 0     | 16.72   |   0.01 | 18.31     | 220   | 27.5   | 61     | 7.6   | 20     | 2.5     | 282   | 35.3     |   98 |   12.3 |   93 | 11.6   | 301    | 38 473   | 59 25   |   3.1 |
|-------------------|-------------------|-----------|-------|---------|--------|-----------|-------|--------|--------|-------|--------|---------|-------|----------|------|--------|------|--------|--------|----------|---------|-------|
| 12 Haryana        | 302               | 0.01      | 5.52  | 0.01    |  13.14 | 85        | 28.1  | 6      | 2.0    | 4     | 1.3    | 113     | 37.4  | 50       | 16.6 |     44 | 14.6 | 95 31  | 207    | 69       | 0       |   0   |
| 13                | Himacha l Pradesh | 90 0.01   | 8.85  | 0.02    |   5.02 | 27        | 30.0  |        | 3 3.3  | 3     |        | 3.3 44  | 48.9  | 11       | 12.2 |      2 |  2.2 | 33     | 37 57  | 63       | 0       |   0   |
| 14 &              | Jammu Kashmir 226 | 0.01      | 6.37  | 0       |   7.52 | 67        | 29.6  |        | 4      | 1.8   | 4      | 1.8 131 | 58.0  | 16       |  7.1 |      4 |  1.8 | 75 33  | 151    | 67       | 0       |   0   |
| 15 Jharkha nd     | 218               | 0.02      | 5.26  | 0.01    |   6.71 | 72        |       | 33.0   | 16     | 7.3   | 2      | 0.9 103 |       | 47.2 18  |  8.3 |      7 |  3.2 | 90     | 41 128 | 59       | 0       |   0   |
| 16                | Karnata ka        | 1421 0.01 | 12.62 | 0.0     |  16.87 | 315       |       | 22.2   | 66     | 4.6   | 42     | 3.0     | 605   | 42.6 220 | 15.5 |    160 | 11.3 | 423    | 30     | 985 69   | 13      |   0.9 |
| 17                | Kerala 1366       | 0.0       | 7.8   | 0.0     |   9.41 | 374       |       | 27.4   | 26 1.9 | 5     | 0.4    | 838     | 61.3  | 95       |  7   |     24 |  1.8 | 405    | 30 957 | 70       | 4       |   0.3 |
| 18 Madhya Pradesh | 1318              | 0.01      | 13.01 |         |   0.01 | 18.06     | 485   | 36.8   | 116    | 8.8   | 59 4.5 | 509     | 38.6  | 93       |  7.1 |     56 |  4.2 | 660 50 | 658    | 50       | 0       |   0   |
| 19 Maharas htra   | 1562              | 0.0       | 13.94 |         |   0    | 14.85     | 474   | 30.3   | 119    | 7.6   | 74 4.7 | 604     | 38.7  | 191      | 12.2 |     92 |  5.9 | 667 43 | 887    | 57       | 8       |   0.5 |
| 20 Meghala ya     | 20                | 0.24      | 2.07  |         |   0.06 | 1.8       | 5     | 25.0   | 1      | 5.0   | 0 0.0  | 14      | 70.0  | 0        |  0   |      0 |  0   | 6 30   | 14     | 70       | 0       |   0   |
| 21 Odisha         | 1283              | 0.01      | 7.8   |         |   0.01 | 10.77 460 |       | 35.9   | 43     | 3.4   | 3 0.2  | 683     | 53.2  | 77       |  6   |     13 |  1   | 506 39 | 773    | 60       | 4       |   0.3 |
| 22 Pondich erry   |                   | 5         |       | 0.07    |   4.34 |           | 0     | 0.0    | 0      | 0.0   | 0 0.0  |         | 4     | 80.0 0   |  0   |      1 | 20   | 0      | 0 5    | 100      | 0       |   0   |
| 23                | Punjab            | 234 0.0   | 6.53  | 0.01    |  17.32 | 33        |       | 14.1   | 2 0.9  |       | 1 0.4  | 115     | 49.1  | 42       | 17.9 |     41 | 17.5 | 36     | 15     | 198      | 85 0    |   0   |

| 24               | Rajastha n   | 859      | 0.0   | 17.42   | 0.01   | 17.6   | 236   | 27.5   | 100   | 11.6   | 95   | 11.1   |   226 |   26.3 | 72        |   8.4 |   130 | 15.1   | 431    | 50        |   428 50 0 |   0.0 |
|------------------|--------------|----------|-------|---------|--------|--------|-------|--------|-------|--------|------|--------|-------|--------|-----------|-------|-------|--------|--------|-----------|------------|-------|
| 25 Tamil Nadu    |              | 536 0.0  | 15.77 | 0.03    | 16.71  |        | 47    | 8.8 10 | 1.9   |        | 14   | 2.6    |   187 |   34.9 | 127 23.7  |   151 |  28.2 | 71     | 13 465 | 87        |          0 |   0   |
| 26               | Telanga na   | 586 0.01 | 16.88 | 0       | 19.3   | 202    | 34.5  | 74     | 12.6  |        | 39   | 6.7    |   175 |   29.9 | 48 8.2    |    44 |   7.5 | 315    | 54 267 | 46        |          4 |   0.7 |
| 27 Tripura       |              | 26 0.05  | 2.71  | 0.09    | 3.49   | 16     | 61.5  | 2      |       | 7.7    | 0    | 0.0    |     6 |   23.1 | 2 7.7     |     0 |   0   | 18 69  | 8      | 31        |          0 |   0   |
| 28 Uttar Pradesh | 637          | 0.01     | 7.54  | 0       | 11.03  | 158    | 24.8  | 20     | 3.1   | 9      |      | 1.4    |   365 |   57.3 | 65 10.2   |    20 |   3.1 | 187 29 | 450    | 71        |          0 |   0   |
| 29 Uttarak hand  | 46           | 0.02     | 7.8   | 0.01    | 7.77   | 13     | 28.3  | 6      | 13.0  | 2      |      | 4.3    |    16 |   34.8 | 7 15.2    |     1 |   2.2 | 21     | 46 24  | 52        |          1 |   2.2 |
| 30 West Bengal   | 617          | 0.01     | 13.53 | 0.01    | 17     | 247    | 40.0  | 45     | 7.3   | 35     | 5.7  |        |   221 |   35.8 | 46 7.5    |    22 |   3.6 | 327    | 53 289 | 47        |          1 |   0.2 |
| Total            | Total        | 14465    |       |         |        | 4294   |       | 29.7   | 847   | 5.9    | 468  | 3.2    |  6254 |   43.2 | 1501 10.4 |  1030 |   7.1 | 5609   | 38.8   | 8785 60.7 |         71 |   0.5 |