Lok Sabha Question No. 2171 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-10
Subject: Management of Water Resources
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: Shrirang Appa Barne, PRATHAP SIMHA, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, ANANDRAO  ADSUL, BHOLA SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2171

ANSWERED ON 10.03.2016

## MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

| 2171.   | SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE   | SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA   |
|---------|----------------------------|----------------------|
|         | DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE | SHRIANANDRAO ADSUL   |
|         | SHRI BHOLA SINGH           |                      |

Will  the  Minister  of  WATER  RESOURCES,  RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND  GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

(a) the estimated quantity of water going waste into sea every year along with the steps taken to check the same;

(b) whether the Government proposes to formulate a policy to ensure rational use of water and its development along with efficient management of water resources in the country, if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to restructure the organisations responsible for regulating the use of water resources and set up a Water Regulatory Authority in each State and if so, the details thereof; and

(d)  whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  bring  central  legislation  on  allocation  of  water resources to check water sharing disputes amongst States and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION

(PROF. SANWAR LAL JAT)

(a) The average annual water availability in the country has been assessed as 1869 billion cubic  meters  (BCM).    It  has  been  estimated  in  the  year  2009  by  Central  Water  Commission (CWC) that  about  450  BCM  of  surface  water  is  being  utilized  for  various  purposes.  Further, Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has assessed in the year 2011 that about 245 BCM of ground water is being utilized for various purposes.  The rest of the water could be considered to be flowing down to sea.

Several  steps  for  augmentation,  conservation  and  efficient  management  to  ensure sustainability of water resources are undertaken by the respective State Governments. In order to supplement  the  efforts  of  the  State  Governments,  Central  Government  provides  technical  and financial  assistance  to  State  Governments  through  various  schemes  and  programmes  namely 'Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP)',  'Repair, Renovation and Restoration of Water Bodies' (RRR) etc.

The  Central  Government  has  also  formulated  a  National  Perspective  Plan  for  water resources  development  which  envisages  transfer  of  water  from  surplus  basins  to  water  deficit basins.

(b) The National Water Policy, 2012 was adopted by the National Water Resources Council (NWRC) headed by the Hon'ble Prime Minister, with Chief Ministers of all States as Members, at its  Meeting  held  on  28th  December,  2012.  The  Policy  has  made  several  recommendations  for conservation  and  efficient  management  of  water  resources.  The  salient  features  of  the  National Water Policy, 2012 are annexed.

(c) The National Water Policy, 2012 has inter-alia recommended that pricing of water should ensure  its  efficient  use  and  reward  conservation.  Equitable  access  to  water  for  all  and  its  fair pricing,  for  drinking  and  other  uses  such  as  sanitation,  agricultural  and  industrial,  should  be arrived at through independent statutory Water Regulatory Authority, set up by each State, after wide ranging consultation with all stakeholders. Copies of NWP, 2012 have been forwarded to the concerned Ministries/Departments of the Central Government and all State Governments/UTs for necessary action.

(d) No, Madam.

****

## (Annexure referred to in reply to part (b) of the Lok SabhaUnstarred Question No. 2171 to be answered on 10.03.2016 regarding 'Management of Water Resources')

## SALIENT FEATURES OF DRAFT NATIONAL WATER FRAMEWORK BILL

- (1) The draft National Water Framework Bill proposes to establish an umbrella statement of general  principles  governing  the  exercise  of  legislative  and/or  executive  (or  devolved) powers by the Centre, the States and the local governing bodies, which should lead the way for essential legislation on water governance in every State of the Union and devolution of necessary authority to the lower tiers of government to deal with the local water situation.
- (2) It proposes eighteen Basic Principles for Water Management to bring different State legal interventions  within  a  framework  of  governing  principles  and  alignment  of  existing legislations  both  at  the  Central  as  well  as  State  level  to  conform  to  the  principles  and provisions of this Bill.
- (3) It  proposes  that  every  individual  should  have  a  right  to  a  minimum  quantity  of  potable water (not less than 25 litres per capita per day) for essential health and hygiene and within easy reach of the household, which may be provided free of cost to eligible households, being part of pre-emptive need.
- (4) It proposes establishment of an independent statutory Water Regulatory Authority by every State for ensuring equitable access to water for all and its fair pricing on volumetric basis, for drinking and other uses such as sanitation, agricultural and industrial.
- (5) It proposes that all water resources projects conform to the River Basin Master Plan to be prepared, applicable efficiency benchmarks and take into account all social and environmental aspects in addition to techno-economic considerations.
- (6) It proposes that the groundwater be protected, conserved and regulated through appropriate laws  and  by  adequate  and  efficient  measures  using  precautionary  approach,  with  active participation of Community Based Institutions.
- (7) It  proposes  conformance  to  the  Service  Level  Benchmarks  for  water  supply,  sanitation, solid waste management and storm water drainage, as may be prescribed.
- (8) It proposes that Industries either withdraw only the make up water or have an obligation to return  treated  effluent  to  a  specified  standard  back  to  the  hydrologic  system  and  to  file annual 'Water returns'.
- (9) It  proposes  that  the  appropriate  Government  take  all  possible  measures  to  synergise  and integrate  different  development  schemes  including  schemes  for  water  conservation, sanitation and improvement of water quality at Panchayat or Municipality level, as the case may be, and further at sub basin and basin level.
- (10) It proposes that a High Powered Committee be set up at the Centre and in each State for coordination and policy support mechanism between different agencies dealing with water etc.