Lok Sabha Question No. 3707 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-23
Subject: Ground Water Supply
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Pinaki Misra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3707 ANSWERED ON 23/03/2023.

## Ground Water Supply

## 3707.  SHRI PINAKI MISRA:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a)   the  details  of  the  percentage  of  households  dependent  on  the  water  supply  from  ground water sources in the country;
- (b)  whether  the  Jal  Jeevan  Mission  (JJM)  utilises  the  ground  water  sources  for  provision  of piped water in the rural areas; and
- (c)   if so, whether any study has been conducted to assess its sustainability and steps have been taken to reduce the dependency on ground water and if so, he details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a) & (b) To enable every rural household to have provision of tap water supply, Government of India in partnership with States is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) - Har Ghar Jal, since August 2019. At the time of announcement of Jal Jeevan Mission in August 2019, 3.23 Crore (17%)  rural  households  were  reported  to  have  tap  water  connections.  So  far,  as  reported  by States/ UTs as on 20.03.2023, additional 8.26 Crore rural households have been provided with tap  water  connections  in  last  three  and  half  years  under  JJM.  Thus,  as  on  20.03.2023,  out  of 19.43 Crore rural households in the country, around 11.49 Crore (59%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes.

Under JJM, the water sources inter alia which include groundwater (open well, borewell, tube well, handpumps, etc.), ancient & traditional surface water (river, reservoir, lake, pond, springs, etc.)  and  rain  water  stored  in  small  tanks  are  being  used  as  sources  for  drinking  water  supply schemes. Details of individual projects/ schemes for rural water supply projects including water source for scheme are not maintained at the Government of India level.

(c) Water being a State subject, steps for augmentation, conservation and efficient management of water resources are primarily undertaken by the respective State  Governments.  For supplementing the efforts of the States for augmentation, conservation and efficient management of water resources, the Central Government has taken various steps for sustainable ground water management in the country. A few of these are as under:

- i.) Central  Ground  Water  Board  (CGWB)  has  taken  up  National  Aquifer  Mapping  and Management (NAQUIM) programme under Ground Water Management and Regulation scheme  with  the  objectives  to  delineate  the  aquifers,  characterize  them  and  prepare management  plans.  The  recommendations  of  NAQUIM  include  both  supply  side interventions and demand side interventions. The demand side interventions like Micro irrigation,  crop  diversification  etc.  are  recommended  in  feasible  areas  to  reduce  the dependency  on  the  ground  water.  The  recommendations  are  shared  with  the  State Governments.
- ii.) Department  of  Water  Resources,  River  Development  &  Ganga  Rejuvenation  (DoWR, RD & GR), Ministry of Jal Shakti has circulated a Model Bill to all the States/UTs to enable them to enact suitable ground water legislation for regulation of its development, which  also  includes  provision  of  rain  water  harvesting.  So  far,  21  States/UTs  have adopted and implemented the ground water legislation.
- iii.) National Water Policy (2012) has been formulated by Department of Water Resources, RD & GR, which inter-alia advocates rainwater harvesting and conservation of water and highlights the need for augmenting the availability of water through direct use of rainfall. It also inter-alia ,  advocates conservation of river, river bodies and infrastructure should be  undertaken  in  a  scientifically  planned  manner  through  community  participation. Further, encroachment and diversion of water bodies and drainage channels must not be allowed and wherever, it has taken place, it should be restored to the extent feasible and maintained properly.
- iv.) Model Building Bye Laws (MBBL) 2016 circulated by Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs include provisions for Rainwater Harvesting and it has been shared with all the States/ UTs. So far, baring Sikkim, Lakshadweep and Mizoram all the States/UTs have adopted the provisions of rainwater harvesting of MBBL-2016.

The other measures taken by the Central Government for sustainable ground water management in the country can be seen at:

## http://jalshakti-

dowr.gov.in/sites/default/files/Steps%20taken%20by%20the%20Central%20Govt%20for%20water\_depl etion\_july2022.pdf

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