Lok Sabha Question No. 3132 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-12
Subject: Initiatives to Recharge Ground Water
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: C.N. Annadurai

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3132

ANSWERED ON 12 .0 3.2020

## INITIATIVES TO RECHA RGE GROUND WATER

## 3132. SHRI C.N. ANNADURAI

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken any initiatives to boost recharge of ground water an techniques of rain water and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  whether  the  Government  has  any  concre te  plan  to  have  rain  water  harvesting  structures  su percolation tanks and well recharge in rural areas; and

(c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA )

(a)Water being a State subject, initiatives on sustainable water management including cons water harvesting in the Country is primarily States' responsibility. However, the important measures taken by the Central Government for conservation, mana gement of ground water and effective implementation rain water harvesting in the country are at the following URL:

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

Further, a number of States have done notable work in the field of water conservatio Of these, mention can be made of 'Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan' in Rajasthan, 'Jalyukt Shibar' in Mahar ashtra, 'Sujalam Sufalam Abhiyan' in Gujarat, 'Mission Kakatiya' in Telangana, Neeru Chettu' in Andhra Pradesh, Jal Jeevan Hariyali in Bihar, 'Jal Hi Jeevan' in Haryana among others.

As per information received from Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs , th e Model Building Bye Laws,  2016,  has  been  issued  for  guidance  of  the  States/UTs  which  has  a  chapter  on  'Rainwater Harvesting'.    The  provisions  of  this  chapter  are  applicable  to  all  the  buildings.  33  States  /  UTs  have adopted the rainwater harvesting provis ions. The implementation of the rainwater harvesting policy within the purview of the State Government/Urban Local Body / Urban Development Authority.

In order to regulate the Over - exploitation and consequent depletion of ground water, t he Ministry has circulated a Model Bill to all the States/UTs to enable them to enact suitable ground w for regulation of its development, which includes provision of rain water harvesting. So far have adopted and imp lemented the ground water legislation on the lines of Model Bill .

(b)  &  (c)  As  per  information  received  from  Ministry  of  Rural  Development,    under  Mahatma National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) provisions vide Schedule - 1, section 4(3), P ara 4.(1) 'Category: A: Public works relating to Natural Resource Management Para: (i)', water conservation and water harvesting structures to augment and improve ground water like underground dyke dams, stop dams, check dams, percolation tanks w ith special focus on recharging ground water inclu drinking water sources are permissible activities.

The expenditure on Water conservation & Water Harvesting related works under MGNREGA during years as uploaded by the States/UTs are as under :

| Water conservation & Water Harvesting related works   | Water conservation & Water Harvesting related works   |
|-------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|
| Years                                                 | Expenditure in Crore (Rs.)                            |
| 2018- 19                                              | 10328.5                                               |
| 2017- 18                                              | 6843.085                                              |
| 2016- 17                                              | 7943.917                                              |
| 2015- 16                                              | 5621.353                                              |
| 2014- 15                                              | 4722.494                                              |

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