Lok Sabha Question No. 452 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-05
Subject: Amrit Sarovar Scheme
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Jagdambika Pal, Dushyant Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 452 ANSWERED ON 05/12/2023

## AMRIT SAROVAR SCHEME

452.  COL. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE: SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL: SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  fundamental  features  and  objectives  of  the Amrit Sarovar Scheme;
- (b) the current progress of the Amrit Sarovar Scheme specifically in terms of the number of ponds constructed or renovated as of the latest available data;
- (c) the  manner  in  which  the  Government  plans  to  ensure  the widespread implementation of the Amrit Sarovar Scheme;
- (d) whether  there  are  specific  targets  set  for  the  construction  or renovation of these ponds in each district; and
- (e) whether  there  is  a  comprehensive  timeline  or  deadline  for achieving  the  goal  of  constructing/renovating  1,00,000  Amrit Sarovars across the country and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

- (a):    The Mission Amrit Sarovar was launched on 24th April 2022, with an  objective  to  conserve  water  for  the  future.  The  Mission  aimed  at developing  /  rejuvenating  75  Amrit  Sarovar  (Pond)  in  each  district  of the Country, totaling about 50,000 Amrit Sarovars in the country. Amrit Sarovar has been a visible manifestation of the actions during Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. The salient features of the Mission Amrit Sarovar is given at Annexure.

(b): As on 28.11.2023, the number of Amrit Sarovar works commenced,  number  of  Amrit  Sarovar  works  completed,  is  given below:

| Total number of Amrit Sarovar works commenced   | Total number of Amrit Sarovar works completed   |
|-------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|
| 83,531                                          | 68,119                                          |

(c):     The Mission Amrit Sarovar was launched on 24th April 2022 and completed on 15th August, 2023. (d):        The  Mission  was  aimed at  developing / rejuvenating 75 Amrit Sarovar (Pond) in  each  district  of  the  Country,  totaling  about  50,000 Amrit Sarovars in the country. (e):     The Mission Amrit Sarovar has been completed on 15th August, 2023.

******

Annexure referred in reply to part (a) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.452 dated 05.12.2023.

- i. Mission  Amrit  Sarovar  is  based  on  'Whole  of  Government' approach  with  the  participation  from the Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of  Panchayati  Raj,  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  &  Climate Change and technical organizations.
- ii. Under the Mission every district of the country will construct or rejuvenate at least 75 Amrit Sarovars.
- iii. Every Amrit Sarovar will have a pondage area of at least 1 acre with a water holding capacity of about 10,000 cubic metre.
- iv. Every  Amrit  Sarovar  will  be  surrounded  by  trees  like  Neem, Peepal and Banyan etc.
- v. Every Amrit Sarovar will be a source of generation of livelihoods by using the water for different purposes like irrigation, fisheries, duckery, cultivation of water chestnut, water tourism and other activities. The Amrit Sarovar will also act as a social gathering point in that locality.
- vi. Mission  Amrit  Sarovar  is  a  visible  manifestation  of  the  action during Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
- vii. Every  Amrit  Sarovar  site  is  a  place  for  flag  hoisting  on  every Independence Day. In Mission Amrit Sarovar, freedom fighters or their family members, martyrs' family members, Padma awardees are associated.
- viii. The Mission Amrit Sarovar works through the States and Districts with  convergence  from  various  schemes  such  as  Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi  NREGS),  15th Finance Commission  Grants, Pradhan Mantri  Krishi  Sichayi  Yojna  sub  schemes  such  as  Watershed Development Component, Har Khet ko Pani, besides States' own scheme.  Public  contribution  like  crowd  funding  and  Corporate Social Responsibility is also allowed for the work.
- ix. The  Mission  Amrit  Sarovar  focuses  on  water  conservation, people's  participation  and  proper  utilization  of  soil  excavated from the water bodies to boost infrastructural projects.
- x. Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and other public agencies engaged for infrastructure project development are also engaged in the Mission for the purpose of use of soil/silt excavated out of the Amrit Sarovar.

******