Lok Sabha Question No. 2421 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-03
Subject: Water Scarcity
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Rajeshbhai Naranbhai Chudasama

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2421

ANSWERED ON- 03/08/2023

## Water Scarcity

## 2421. SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:-

- (a)   the number of households in the country not having piped water supply;
- (b)  whether the Government has taken cognizance of the climate change induced water scarcity that is predicted in the country; and
- (c)   the details of the districts which face acute water shortage and lowered ground water levels?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) Since August 2019, Government of India, in partnership with States, is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)-Har Ghar Jal to enable every rural household in the country to have assured potable water through tap connection.

At  the  time  of  announcement  of  Jal  Jeevan  Mission,  3.23  Crore  (17%)  rural  households  were reported to have tap water connections. So far, as reported by States/ UTs as on 31.07.2023, around 9.46 Crore additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections. Thus, as on 31.07.2023,  out  of  19.43  Crore  rural  households  in  the  country,  around  12.69  Crore  (65.33%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes and the remaining 6.74 Crore are to be covered.

Under  the  mission,  provisions  have  been  made  for  source  recharging,  viz.  dedicated  bore  well recharge structures, rainwater 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.

Further, for supplementing the efforts of the States, the Central Government has taken various steps for sustainable ground water management in the country. Details are available at:

## https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3a70dc40477bc2adceef4d2c90f47eb82/uploads/2023/02/202302174 2.pdf

In  addition,  to  deal  with  the  impact  of  climate  change  on  the  water  sector,  the  National  Water Mission under this Ministry has launched the State Specific Action Plan. The State Specific Action Plans essentially consist of:

- a) Preparation  of  status  report  on  the  present  situation  of  water  resources  development  and management,  water  governance,  Institutional  arrangements,  water-related  policies,  crossboundary issues and agreements etc. of the State/Union Territory. The document should also define problems/issues related to all the aspects of water resources specific to the State.
- b) Identifying a set of probable solutions to address the key issues/ problem areas giving pros and cons of the solutions.
- c) Preparation  of  a  detailed  Action  Plan  for  each  of  the  strategies/activities  identified  in  the NWM to be implemented by the State/Union territory.

Dynamic Ground Water Resources of the country are being periodically assessed jointly by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and State Governments. As per the 2020 assessment, out of the total 6965 assessment units (Blocks/ Taluks/ Mandals/ watersheds/ Firkas) in the country, 1114 units in 15 States/UTs have been categorized as 'Overexploited' where the Annual Ground Water Extraction is more than Annual Extractable Ground Water Resource.

The  complete  groundwater  resource  information  including  details  of  Over-exploited  assessment units for the entire country (including State/UT-wise) can be seen at:

http://cgwb.gov.in/documents/2021-08-02-GWRA\_India\_2020.pdf

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