Lok Sabha Question No. 2254 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-12
Subject: Installation of Handpumps in Himachal Pradesh
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Suresh Kumar Kashyap

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2254

ANSWERED ON 12.02.2026

## INSTALLATION OF HANDPUMPS IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

## †2254. SHRI SURESH KUMAR KASHYAP

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether a large number of handpumps have been installed for the purpose of drinking water in various areas of Himachal Pradesh and if so, the details thereof indicating the total number of handpumps installed so far, district-wise;
- (b)  whether the prior permission was mandatory for installation of handpumps by nonGovernmental or private individuals/institutions and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)   whether the Government has decided to abolish the said permission system and if so, the details thereof along with the policy-based reasons therefor; and
- (d)  whether  concrete  regulatory  and  monitoring  measures  are  currently  in  place  to  prevent uncontrolled exploitation of groundwater, conserve water levels and ensure long-term drinking water security after the abolition of the said permission, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) Since August 2019, Government of India, in partnership with States, is implementing Jal Jeevan  Mission  (JJM)  -  Har  Ghar  Jal  to  make  provision  of  tap  water  connection  to  every  rural household of the country.

Drinking water being a state subject, under JJM, responsibilities for planning, approval, implementation,  operation  and  maintenance  of  drinking  water  supply  schemes  lie  with  State/  UT governments.  Government  of  India  supplements  the  efforts  of  the  State/  UT  government  by providing technical and financial assistance.

Under JJM, the water sources inter alia which include groundwater (open well, borewell, tube well, handpumps, etc.), ancient & traditional surface water (river, reservoir, lake, pond, springs, etc.) and rain water stored in small tanks are being used as sources for drinking water supply schemes. As numerous projects are implemented concurrently at various levels across the States for achieving the envisaged  objectives,  project-wise  details  of  individual  projects/  schemes  for  rural  water  supply projects are maintained at the State Government level.

Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR) has  informed  that  the  aspects  related  to  water  resources,  including  its  conservation  &  quality  are studied,  planned,  funded  and  executed  by  the  State  Governments  themselves  as  per  their  own resources  and  priorities.  Role  of  the  Government  of  India  is  limited  to  being  catalytic,  providing technical support and in some cases partial financial assistance in terms with the existing schemes being implemented by the D/o WR, RD and GR.

However, a number of measures being taken by Government of India for sustainable management of ground water across  region inter  alia including  initiatives  such  as  the  National  Aquifer  Mapping (NAQUIM) and the Master Plan for Artificial  Recharge (2020) encourage the implementation of rainwater harvesting structures. Additionally, National Water Policy has been formulated by DoWR, RD & GR, inter-alia advocates rainwater harvesting and conservation of water and highlights the need for augmenting the availability of water through direct use of rainfall. DoWR, RD & GR along with  the  Central  Ground  Water  Board  (CGWB)  and  State  Governments,  conducts  annual assessments  of  India's  dynamic  groundwater  resources.  CGWB  has  prepared  a  Master  Plan  for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater- 2020 in consultation with States/UTs which is a macro level plan indicating various structures for the different terrain conditions of the country including State of  Himachal  Pradesh.  The  Master  Plan  envisages  construction  of  about  1,14,242  Rain  water harvesting  and  artificial  recharge  structures  in  Himachal  Pradesh.  Apart  from  this,  the  important steps taken by the central government to promote rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge in the country including Himachal Pradesh can be seen at:

## https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3a70dc40477bc2adceef4d2c90f47eb82/uploads/2024/07/202407 16706354487.pdf

Ministry  has  also  notified  guidelines  for  regulation  of  ground  water  extraction  by  industries, infrastructure  projects  and  mining  projects  vide  SO  3289(E),  dated  24.09.2020  and  amendments thereto  vide  SO  1509(E),  dated  29.03.2023  prescribing  set  of  rules  for  issuance  of  No  Objection Certificate (NOC) for ground water extraction to these projects as per these guidelines having panIndia applicability. New major industries are not permitted to extract groundwater in over-exploited areas/  blocks.  Ministry  and  CGWA  have  regularly  been  pursuing  with  States/  UTs  to  make necessary modifications/ amendments in their Acts/ Rules/ Guidelines to make them consistent with the central guidelines.

Besides, Ministry has circulated a Model Bill to all the States/UTs to enable them to enact suitable ground  water  legislation  for  regulation  of  its  development,  which  also  includes  provision  of  rain water harvesting. So far, 21 States/UTs including Himachal Pradesh have adopted and implemented the ground water legislation.

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