Lok Sabha Question No. 246 (STARRED), answered on 2019-12-05
Subject: Shortage of Water
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Margani Bharat, Chandra Sekhar Bellana

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *246

ANSWERED ON 05 . 12.201 9

## SHORTAGE OF WATER

- *246. SHRI MARGANI BHARAT SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR BELLANA

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that there is an acute shortage of water in most parts of the countr
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the country is also facing the problem of water management and if so, the details thereof; an
- (d) the corrective steps being taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI

(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) to (d) A statement is laid on the table of the House.

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## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  STARRED QUESTION NO *246 TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 05.12.2019 REGARDING ' SHORTAGE OF WATER ' .

(a) & (b) The average annual water availability of any region or country is largely depe hydro- meteorological and geological factors. However, water availability per person is depe population of the country and for India, per capita water availability in the country is r increase in population. The average annual per capi ta water availability in the year 2011 has bee assessed as 1545 cubic meters which may further reduce to 1486 cubic meters, 1367 cubic 1282 cubic meters and 1228 cubic meters in the  years 2021, 2031, 2041 and 2051 respect Annual per - capita w ater availability of less than 1700 cubic meters is considered as water condition, whereas annual per -capita water availability below 1000 cubic meters is considered water  scarcity  condition.  Due  to  high  temporal  and  spatial  variation  of  prec ipi ation,  the  water availability in many regions of the country is below the national average and may be fac stress / scarce conditions.

(c) & (d) The country is facing a number of challenges in water management such as huge temp and  spatia l  variability  in  respect  of  availability  of  water  resources,  declining  per - capita  water resources  availability  due  to  rapid  increase  in  population,  inadequate  surface  water meeting future water demands, over - exploitation of ground water resourc es, droughts, low water use efficiency, etc.

Water being a State subject, measures for management of water resources is primaril by  respective  State  Governments.  Central  Government  supplements  the  efforts  of  the Governments  by  providing  techn ical  and  financial  assistance  through  various  schemes  an programmes. Central Government has taken various steps for management of water.

Ministry of Jal Shakti has been created by the Government of India, integrating the Ministry  of  Water  Resou rces,  River  Development  and  Ganga  Rejuvenation  and  the  Ministry  of Drinking Water and Sanitation, with an aim to deal with the issues relating to water in a integrated manner.

Ministry  of  Jal  Shakti  has  launched  Jal  Shakti  Abhiyan  (JSA),  a  ca mpaign  for  water conservation and water security, in 256 water - stress d districts of the country.

Central Government has formulated a National Perspective Plan (NPP) for Water Resou Development which envisages transfer of water from water surplus basi ns to water deficit basins through inter - linking of rivers.

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) is being implemented with an aim to enhance  physical  access  of  water  on  farm  and  expand  cultivable  area  under  assured  irr improve on farm water use efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation practices e Under PMKSY - Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) component, 99 on -going Major/Medium irrigation projects having ultimate irrigation potential of 76.03 lakh hectares have been prioritized in consultation with States for completion in phases up to December, 20 with their Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM) works.

Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is implementing Atal Mission fo r Rejuvenation and Urban  Transformation  (AMRUT)  in  500  cities  with  mission  components  such  as  water  supp storm water drainage, etc. The water supply component includes augmentation of existing supply system and water treatment plants; rehabilitati on of old water supply system; rejuvenation of water bodies, etc.

The Government of India has launched Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), which aims at provi functional household tap connections to every rural household by 2024 at the service level per capita per day. This Mission will focus on integrated demand and supply side managem water  at  the  local  level,  including  creation  of  local  infrastructure  for  source  susta rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and management of household wastewater for reuse in agriculture.

Central Ground Water Board is implementing a nationwide programme of 'National Aquifer Mapping and Management (NAQUIM)' for mapping of aquifers (Water bearing formations), their characterization and development of aquifer management plans to facilitate sus tainable development of  ground  water  resources.  Aquifer  maps  and  management  plans  have  been  shared  with respective State Government agencies.

Some initiatives/measures taken by Central Government to control water depletion and rain water harv esting / conservation are available at the URL: http://mowr.gov.in/sites/default/files/Steps\_to\_control\_water\_depletion\_Jun2019.pdf

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