Lok Sabha Question No. 1916 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-27
Subject: Strategic Reserve of Water Resources
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH

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

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO. 1916

ANSWERED ON 27 .0 7.201 7

## STRATEGIC RESERVE OF WATER RESOURCES

## 1916. SHRIMATI DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH

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

(a) whether the Union Government is considering for creating a strategic reserve of water for drinking water in consultation with Ministry of Dr inking Water and Sanitation and the State Governments to overcome from scarcity of drinking water in summer and drought like situat (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) Whether the Union Government has set up any road - map in this regard and if so, the detail thereof; and

(d) Whether the Union Government has communicated to the State Governments in this re during the last three years or is going to issue any advisory and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## ( DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN )

(a)  to  (d) Under  National  Rural  Drinking  Water  Programme  (NRDWP),  a  centrally  sponsored scheme  of  the  Ministry  of  Drinking  Water  and Sanitation  (MoDWS),  financial  and  technical assistance is provided to all States/ UTs for coverage of rural water supply in the rura country. Under NRDWP, there is already a sustainability component under which States can up to 10% of NRDWP funds for creation of structures like water reserves, check dams, pits, etc.

Taking cognizance of the rainfall predictions of Indian Meteorological Department MoDWS  takes  immediate  steps  to  tackle  the  scarcity  of  drinking  water  as  per th   Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and the States are requested to prepare contingency plan as per and execute the same to mitigate the scarcity of water. Moreover, MoDWS issues advisory affected States / UTs on measures to be taken by t he States for mitigation of water crisis situatio

As a long term solution, MoDWS has directed the States to cover the rural househol Piped  Water  Supply.  A  strategic  plan  for  providing  drinking  water  supply  in  rural  are country for the period 2011 - 2022 has been prepared by MoDWS. This strategic plan aims to ensure

that at least 90% of rural households are provided with piped water supply by 2022; at le rural households have piped water supply with a household connection; less than 10% use public taps and less than 10% use hand pumps or other safe and adequate private water sources.

Besides,  National  Water  Policy,  2012  which  has been  forwarded  to  all  States/ Union Territories and the concerned Central Ministries for necessary action recommends as under:

- Safe Water for drinking and sanitation should be considered as pre - emptive need, followed by  high  priority  allocation  for  other  basic  domestic  needs  (including  needs  of ls), achieving food security, supporting sustenance agriculture and minimum eco - system needs. Available water, after meeting the above needs, should be allocated in a manner to its conservation and efficient use.
- Pricing of water should ensure its efficient use and reward conservation. Equitable access water for all and its fair pricing, for drinking and other uses such as sanitation and  industrial,  should  be  arrived  at  through  independent  statutory  Water  Reg Authority, set up by each State, after wide ranging consultation with all stakeholders.
- The principle of differential pricing may be retained for the pre - emptive uses of water for drinking  and  sanitation;  and  high  priority  allocation  for  ensuring  food  secu supporting livelihood for the poor. Available water, after meeting the above needs increasingly be subjected to allocation and pricing on economic principles so tha not wasted in unnecessary uses and could be utilized more gainfully.
- There is a need to remove the large disparity between stipulations for water supply areas and in rural areas. Efforts should be made to provide improved water supply areas with proper sewerage facilities. Intensive sanitation and sewerage systems using the least amount of water with decentralized sewage treatment plants should be incentiv

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