Lok Sabha Question No. 4032 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-13
Subject: Development of Ground Water
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY

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## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES,

## RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  †4032

## ANSWERED ON 13.08.2015

**Development of Ground Water**

†4032. DR. MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY

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

(a) whether various International Organisations including the World Bank and the Second Administrative Reform Commission have expressed their concern and suggested measures for the sustainable development of ground water in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the effective measures taken by the Government thereon?

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## ANSWER

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

(PROF. SANWAR LAL JAT)

(a) to (b)  Yes Madam.  Several organizations including the World Bank and the Second Administrative Reform Commission in their reports have mentioned about ground water related issues and challenges in the Country, and suggested a number of measures like an increase in water tariffs in urban settings; optimum crop water requirements; reducing evapo-transpiration from fields in agricultural settings; conjunctive use of surface and ground water in specific areas; ground water recharge enhancement to manage over-exploitation of ground water etc. which, inter-alia, include measures to be taken for sustainable development and management of ground water in the Country.

(c)  Central Government has taken following measures :

- The National Water Policy (2012) has been formulated by Ministry of Water Resources, RD & GR which, inter-alia, advocates rain water harvesting and conservation of water and highlights the need for augmenting the availability of water through direct use of rainfall.
- A Model Bill has also been circulated to all the States/UTs to enable them to enact suitable ground water legislation for its regulation and development, which includes provision of rain water harvesting.  So far, 15 States/UTs have adopted and implemented the ground water legislation on the lines of Model bill.  Further, various States/UTs have made rain water harvesting mandatory by enacting laws or by formulating rules & regulations or by including provisions in building bye-laws or through suitable Government Orders.
- Setting up of National Water Mission with the objective of, inter-alia, conservation of water resources.
- CGWB has prepared a conceptual document entitled “Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water in India” during 2013, involving ground water scientists/experts.  The Master Plan envisages construction of 1.11 crore rain water harvesting and artificial recharge structures in the Country at an estimated cost of Rs. 79,178 crores to harness 85 BCM (Billion Cubic Metre) of water.  The augmented ground water resources will enhance the availability of water for drinking, domestic, industrial and irrigation purpose.  The Master Plan has been circulated to all State Governments for implementation.
- CGWB has been organizing mass awareness programmes in the Country to promote rain water harvesting and artificial recharge to ground water.
- CGWB had undertaken the Demonstrative Rain Water Harvesting and Artificial Recharge Projects during XI Plan under the Scheme of “Ground Water Management & Regulation” in priority areas.
- Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has also issued directives to the Chief Secretaries of all States and the Administrators of all UTs to take measures to promote/adopt artificial recharge to ground water / rain water harvesting.  Besides, CGWA has also taken up the matter with various Central and State government organizations for adopting rain water harvesting and recharge to the ground water.

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