Lok Sabha Question No. 1073 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-27
Subject: Depleting Groundwater in Punjab
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Santokh Singh Chaudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI,

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1073

ANSWERED ON 2 7.06.2019

## DEPLETING GROUNDWATE R IN PUNJAB

## 1073. SHRI SANTOKH SINGH CHAUDHARY

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a) whether groundwater in Punjab is depleting at an alarming pace and leading to a crisis;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to reduce extraction of groundwater i n Punjab;
- (d) whether these steps have brought positive results and if so, the details thereof and i therefor; and
- (e) whether the Government has undertaken any study to assess social, economic and cultural of water crisis and if so, the detail thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI & SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

## (SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA )

- (a)  &  (b) Dynamic  ground  water  resources  of  the  country  is being  periodically  assessed  jointly  b Central Ground Water Board and State Governments. As per the 2013 assessment, out of the assessment units (Blocks) in Punjab , 105 units have been categorized as 'Over -exploited', where ground water extracti on is more than net ground water availability and there is significant long - term decline in water levels. 4 units have been categorized as 'Critical', 3 units as 'Semi -Critical' and 26 units as 'Safe'.
- (c) Water  being  a  State  subject,  efforts  to  conserv e  and  manage  ground  water  is  primarily  States' responsibility. However, other steps taken by the Central Government to control ground water depletion are at the following URL:

http://mowr.gov.in/sites/default/files/Steps\_to\_control\_water\_depletion\_Jun2019.pdf

- (d) The comparison of Ground Water Resources Assessment 2011 and 2013, reveals that 11 Assessment Units have improved in the State of Punjab. Details of improved assessment units (Blocks) in Punjab is given in Annexure .  The  implementation  of  policies  and  schemes  mentioned  in  part  'c'  also aided in the improvemen t of situation.
- (e) Composite  Water  Management  Index - 2018  has  been  published  by  N ITI  Aayog  which  may  be accessed at https://niti.gov.in/writereaddata/files/document\_publication/2018 - 05- 18- Water- Index -Report\_vS8 - compressed.pdf .

Annexure referred to in reply to part (d) of Unstarred Question No. 1073 to be answered Lok Sabha on 27.06.2019 regarding ' DEPLETING GROUNDWATER IN PUNJAB '

## Improved Assessment units (Blocks) in the State of Punjab

|   S.No | District    | Name of the AssessmentUnit (Blocks)   | Category in 2011       | Category in 2013   |
|--------|-------------|---------------------------------------|------------------------|--------------------|
|      1 | Amritsar    | Majitha                               | Over ExploitedCritical |                    |
|      2 | Bathinda    | Nathana                               | Critical               | Safe               |
|      3 | Bathinda    | Rampura                               | Critical               | Safe               |
|      4 | Ferozepur   | Guru Har Sahai                        | Over ExploitedCritical |                    |
|      5 | Gurdaspur   | Gurdaspur                             | Critical               | Semi Critical      |
|      6 | Hoshiarpur  | Hazipur                               | Over ExploitedSafe     |                    |
|      7 | Hoshiarpur  | Talwara                               | Semi Critical          | Safe               |
|      8 | Mansa       | Jhunir                                | Over ExploitedCritical |                    |
|      9 | Nawan Shahr | Nawan Shahr                           | Over ExploitedCritical |                    |
|     10 | Pathankot   | Narot Jaimal Singh                    | Semi Critical          | Safe               |
|     11 | Ropar       | Chamkaur Sahib                        | Over ExploitedSafe     |                    |

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