Lok Sabha Question No. 2718 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-17
Subject: Water Insecurity
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2718

ANSWERED ON 17.03.2022

## WATER INSECURITY

## 2718.  SHRI T.R. BAALU

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that India could be a global hotspot of water insecurity by 2050;
- (b)  if  so,  the  steps  proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  keeping  in  view  the  fact  that  nearly  600 million people living in the country are facing high to extreme water stress;
- (c) whether the Government has taken any initiatives to revamp irrigation channels, encourage deploying water efficient technologies and improve water management in irrigation command areas by involving water users in its distribution; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI BISHWESWAR TUDU)

- (a) As per the National Commission on Integrated Water Resources Development (NCIWRD) Report-1999, water requirement of the country for High Demand scenario and Low Demand scenario for the year 2050 are 1,180 billion cubic metres (BCM) and 973 BCM respectively. As per study titled 'Reassessment of Water Availability in  India  using  Space  Inputs,  2019'  conducted  by  Central  Water  Commission  in  collaboration  with  National Remote Sensing  Centre  (NRSC),  the  average  annual  water  resources  availability  in  the  country  is  assessed  at 1,999.20 BCM. It is estimated that owing to topographic, hydrological and other constraints, the utilizable water quantity is 1,126 BCM.
- (b) to (d) Water being a State subject, steps for augmentation, conservation and efficient management of water resources are primarily undertaken by the respective State Governments. In order to supplement the efforts of the State  Governments,  Union  Government  provides  technical  and  financial  assistance  to  them  through  various schemes and programmes.

The Government of India formulated a National Perspective Plan (NPP) of interlinking of rivers for transferring water  from  surplus  basins  to  deficit  basins/areas  in  1980.  National  Water  Development  Agency  (NWDA)  has identified  30  links  (16  under  Peninsular  Component  and  14  under  Himalayan  Component)  for  preparation  of Feasibility  Reports/  Detailed  Project  Reports  under  Inter-linking  of  Rivers  Project.  However,  river  interlinking projects are largely dependent on consensus on water sharing between participating States.

National Aquifer Mapping and Management program (NAQUIM) is being implemented by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) as part of Ground Water Management and Regulation (GWM&R) Scheme, a central sector scheme.  NAQUIM  envisages  mapping  of  aquifers  (water  bearing  formations),  their  characterization  and development of Aquifer Management Plans to facilitate sustainable management of groundwater resources in the country. NAQUIM outputs are shared with States/UTs for suitable interventions.

Government of India is also implementing Atal Bhujal Yojana, a central sector scheme, in 8,774 gram panchayats of 81 districts of seven States namely Haryana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and

Uttar  Pradesh.  The  focus  of  the  scheme  is  on  community  participation  and  demand  side  intervention  for sustainable ground water management in identified water stressed areas.

Government of India, in partnership with States, is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to make provision of potable tap water supply to every rural household of the country at the service level of 55 litre per capita per day by  2024.  For  ensuring  tap  water  supply  in  drought-prone  and  water-scarce  areas  with  inadequate  rainfall  or dependable  ground  water  sources,  provisions  have  been  made  under  JJM  for  bulk  water  transfer  from  long distances and regional water supply schemes. In addition, provisions have been made for source recharging, viz. dedicated  bore  well  recharge  structures,  rain  water  recharge,  rejuvenation  of  existing  water  bodies,  etc.,  in convergence with other schemes such as MGNREGS, Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), 15th Finance Commission tied grants to RLBs/ PRIs, State schemes, CSR funds, etc.

Government of India has launched AMRUT 2.0 on 1st October, 2021 for a period of 5 years (FY 2021- 22 to 2025-26), with the objective of providing universal coverage of water supply through functional household tap connections in all statutory towns in the country. AMRUT 2.0 focuses on making specified cities water secure through recycle/ reuse of treated sewage, rejuvenation of water bodies and water conservation.

Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi  Sinchayee  Yojana  (PMKSY)  was  launched  during  the  year  2015-16,  with  an  aim  to enhance physical access of water on farm and for expanding cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve onfarm water use efficiency, introducing sustainable water conservation practices, etc. During 2016-17, ninety-nine (99) on-going major/ medium irrigation projects in the country having balance estimated cost of Rs.77,595 crore under PMKSY-Accelerated Irrigation Benefifits Programme (AIBP) have been prioritised, in consultation with States, for completion in phases. The extension of PMKSY for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26 has been approved by Government of India, with an overall outlay of Rs. 93,068.56 crore.

The  Command  Area  Development  &  Water  Management  (CADWM)  Programme  has  been  brought  under Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi  Sinchayee  Yojana  (PMKSY)  -  Har  Khet  Ko  Pani  from  2015-16  onwards.  The  main objective of taking up CAD works is to enhance utilization of irrigation potential created, and improve agriculture production on a sustainable basis through Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM).

Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is implementing "Per Drop More Crop" component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) which is operational from 2015-16 in the India. The PMKSY- "Per Drop More Crop" mainly focuses on water use efficiency at farm level through micro irrigation (drip and sprinkler irrigation system).

'Sahi Fasal' campaign was launched by National Water Mission (NWM) on 14.11.2019 to nudge farmers in the water stressed areas to grow crops which use water very efficiently, are economically remunerative, are healthy and nutritious, suited to the agro-climatic-hydro characteristics of the area, and are environment friendly.

Hon'ble Prime Minister launched the 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain' (JSA:CTR) with the theme 'Catch the Rain - Where it Falls When it Falls' on 22nd March 2021, the World Water Day, to cover all the blocks of all districts (rural as well as urban areas) across the country during 22nd March, 2021 to 30th November, 2021 - the pre-monsoon and monsoon period. JSA:CTR campaign had five focused interventions- (1) rainwater harvesting & water conservation (2) enumerating, geo-tagging & making inventory of all water bodies; preparation of scientific plans for water conservation (3) Setting up Jal Shakti Kendras in all districts (4) intensive afforestation and (5) awareness generation.

Central Water Commission (CWC) promotes  Water Use Efficiency Studies (WUE) and Performance Evaluation Studies (PES) of MMI projects in the States.  CWC also promotes the water conservation and water management.

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