Lok Sabha Question No. 651 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-22
Subject: District Facing Water Crisis
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Riti Pathak

## †651. SHRIMATI RITI PATHAK

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has data regarding the total number of districts facing water crisis i

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to take any measure s to remove water shortage in the districts faci crisis;

(d) if so, the total number of districts identified for this purpose and the criteria thereof; an

(e) the steps taken by the Government to check depleting water table in the country?

## ANSW ER

## THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI

## (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a)  &  (b)  The  average  annual  water  availability  of  any  region  of  country  is  largely  depend -meteorological and geological factors; and such water resources data is assessed basin - wise. The per capita wate availability in the country is reducing due to increase in population. Also, due to high temporal of precipitation, the water availability in many regions of the country is much below the natio age and this may result in water stressed / scarce conditions.

The Dynamic Ground Water Resources of the country are being periodically assessed jointl Ground  Water  Board  (CGWB)  and  State  Governments.  As  per  the  2020  assessment,  out  of  the  t l  6965 assessment units (Block/ Taluks/ Mandals/ watersheds/ Firkas) in the country, 1114 units in 15 been categorized as 'Over -exploited' where the Annual Ground Water Extraction is more than Annual Extractable Ground Water Resource.

(c) t o (e) Water being a State subject, steps for augmentation, conservation and efficient mana resources are primarily undertaken by the respective State Governments. In order to supplement State  Governments,  Central  Governmen t  provides  technical  and  financial  assistance  to  them  throug schemes and programmes.

The Hon'ble Prime Minister of India launched the 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain' (JSA:CTR) on 22 nd March, 2021, the World Water Day, with the theme 'Catch th e Rain Where it Falls When it Falls' to cover all the  blocks  of  all  districts  (rural  as  well  as  urban  areas)  across  the  country  during  2 nd March,  2021  to 30 th November, 2021- the pre - monsoon and monsoon period. The focused interventions for JSA include s water conservation & rainwater harvesting, renovation of traditional and other water bodies/tanks, reu borewells, watershed development and intensive afforestation.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI,

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †651

ANSWERED ON 22.07 .2021

## DISTRICT FACING WATE R CRISIS

In addition to this campaign on supply side management, National Water Mission had also starte campaign "Sahi Fasal" to nudge farmers to favour agricultural crops which consume less water a more  efficiently  in  agriculture,  as  a  part  of  demand  side  management.  Drawing  excessive  gro r Agriculture is one of the main reasons for depletion of the ground water in many districts.

The  Atal  Mission  for  Rejuvenation  and  Urban  Transformation  (AMRUT)  was  launched  b Government of India on June 25, 2015 in selected 500 cities and towns acros s the country for a period of 5 year from FY 2015 - 2016 to FY 2019 - 2020, which has been extended for completing the grounded projects. The focuses  on  the  development  of  basic  urban  infrastructure  in  the  Mission  cities  in  the  sector upply, sewerage & septage management, storm water drainage, green spaces & parks and non - motorized urban transport.

The Government of India, in partnership with States, is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission - Har Ghar Jal, which aims at providing potable water of prescribed quality and in adequate quantity on regular and basis, to every rural household including tribal areas of the country through tap water connectio

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) was launched in 2015 - 16 wi th an aim to enhance physical access of water on farm and expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve o efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation practices etc. Under Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP PMKSY, Repai r, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies Scheme was launched which aims a of irrigation potential by improvement and restoration of water bodies by enhancing the tank stor with other multiple objectives such as ground water recharge, increased availability of drinking water, im of catchment of tank commands etc. Under the Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bo since 12 th plan onwards, 2228 schemes are ongoing. Further, 1549 water bodie s have been reported to be complet upto March, 2021. Target irrigation potential restoration of these schemes is 1.89 L Ha and out o reported to be restored till March, 2021.

During  2016 - 17,  ninety -nine  (99)  on - going  Major/Medium  irri gation  projects  (and  7  phases)  un Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) -Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) have prioritized in consultation with States for completion in phases out of which AIBP works of 44 p en reported to be completed/almost completed. During 2016 - 17 to 2020 - 21, 22.47 lakh hectare has been reported created by these projects in the country.

Moreover,  a  special  package  for  completion  of  irrigation  projects  to  address  the  agr in Vidarbha and Marathwada and other chronically drought p ne areas of rest of Maharashtra has been app during 2018 - 19. Under the special package, 8 MMI and 83 Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) projects a be completed in phases up to 2022 - 23.

Some steps taken by the Central Government to control ground water depletion and promot harvesting/conservation are available at the URL:

http://jalshakti - dowr.gov.in/sites/default/files/Steps\_to\_control\_water\_depletion\_Feb2021.pdf

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