Lok Sabha Question No. 3229 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-20
Subject: Training Programme on Operation and Management of Rural Water Supply Schemes
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Smt. Bharti Pardhi, Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato, Shri Yogender Chandolia, Shri Dilip Saikia, Shri Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor, Shri Khagen Murmu, Shri Arun Govil, Smt. Kamlesh Jangde, Shri Dineshbhai Makwana

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3229

ANSWERED ON 20.03.2025

## TRAINING PROGRAMME ON OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF RURAL WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES

†3229. SHRI DILIP SAIKIA:

SHRI JASWANTSINH SUMANBHAI BHABHOR:

SHRI DINESHBHAI MAKWANA:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI YOGENDER CHANDOLIA:

SMT. BHARTI PARDHI:

SHRI KHAGEN MURMU:

SMT. KAMLESH JANGDE:

SHRI ARUN GOVIL:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has organized five-day training programme for engineers on Operation and Management of Rural Water Supply Scheme in Andaman and Nicobar Islands;
- (b) if so, the key objectives thereof;
- (c) whether  the  said  training  module  is  likely  to  be  extended  to  all  the  States/Union Territories and if so, the details thereof along with the timeline fixed for its implementation across the country, particularly in Madhya Pradesh;
- (d) whether  the  Government  is  contemplating  to  prepare  any  rule  for  groundwater extraction in Chhattisgarh and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government proposes to introduce a mandatory training and certification programme for all engineers involved in water supply management in view of the growing challenges in rural water supply and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether  the  Government  is  likely  to  consider  a  nationwide  demand-side  water management framework to optimize water usage and if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken/likely to be taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA)

(a)  &  (b)    Dr.  Syama  Prasad  Mookerjee  National  Institute  of  Water  and  Sanitation  (SPMNIWAS) (autonomous institution under the Ministry of Jal Shakti) has organised a five-day

training programme on 'Operation & Management of Rural Water Supply Schemes' from 24th February 2025 to 28th February 2025 at Port Blair (Andaman & Nicobar Islands). The course focused on equipping engineers with the necessary skills and knowledge to address critical issues such as system inefficiencies, non-revenue water (NRW), energy consumption, and inadequate community engagement.

(c)   At present, there is no such proposal under consideration to this Department. However, the capacity building of stakeholders including Engineers in State/ UTs, plays an important role in implementing the vision of Jal Jeevan Mission. It helps in leadership development and equipping the stakeholders with required technical and interpersonal skills including knowledge  about  latest  technologies  and  innovations.  This  Department  provides  financial assistance to States/ UTs out of which States/ UTs may use up to 5% of resources, for support activities including capacity building and IEC activities. The States/ UTs can customize and organize the training courses as per their requirements. To take forward the developments made under the Jal Jeevan Mission, it is essential to further improve the basic training of field level engineers.

(d))  Presently,  Central  Ground  Water  Authority  (CGWA)  is  regulating  groundwater  by industrial, infrastructure and mining  projects in 19 States/ UTs  including the State of Chhattisgarh in  accordance  with  the  guidelines  issued  by  Ministry  of  Jal  Shakti  vide notification dated 24.09.2020 (SO 3289) and amendments dated 29.03.2023 thereto (SO 1509).

(e)   Presently, there is no such proposal under consideration to this Department to introduce a mandatory training and certification programme for all engineers involved in water supply management in view of the growing challenges in rural water supply.

(f)       Ministry of Jal Shakti has issued guidelines for groundwater regulation. These guidelines have following provisions for demand-side management of groundwater/ water and optimizing its usage.

- Industrial projects extracting more than 100 KLD (more than 1 Lakh Litre per day) groundwater have to mandatorily carry out biennial water audit and try to reduce water usage by means of advance technologies, recycle/ reuse.
- Project  Proponents  have  to  pay  Groundwater  Abstraction/  Restoration  Charges  for obtaining  NOC  from  Central  Ground  Water  Authority.  Levying  of  charges  for extracting groundwater encourages Project Proponents to optimize water usage through recycle/ reuse/ reduce wastage.
- Infrastructure projects drawing groundwater 20KLD or more are required to install STP and use the treated water for greenbelt development/ washing of cars etc.
- Conditions in the NOC issued by CGWA include the condition that 'Wherever feasible, requirement of water for greenbelt (horticulture) shall be met from recycled/ treated waste water'.
- Though groundwater extraction for agricultural activities is exempted from groundwater  regulation,  the  guidelines  advise  States/  UTs  to  review  their  free/ subsidized electricity policy to farmers, bring suitable water pricing policy and work further towards crop rotation/ diversification/ other initiatives to reduce overdependence on groundwater.

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