Lok Sabha Question No. 845 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-21
Subject: National Policy on Water Resources
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: T. RADHAKRISHNAN, SUDHEER GUPTA, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO

845.

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

## LOK   SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 845

ANSWERED ON 21.07.2016

## NATIONAL POLICY ON WATER RESOURCES

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN

SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO

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

(a) whether the Government is contemplating to formulate a national policy in regard to water resources in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b)whether  the  Government  has  started  or  proposes  to  design  training  modules  for  ground  water management and demonstration visits to farmer managed ground water system projects across all the districts of the country and if so, the current status of the plan in each State/UTwise; and (c)the steps taken/being taken by the Government for protection of conventional sources of water?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION ( DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN )

- (a) The National Water Policy, 2012 has been adopted by the National Water Resources Council at its  Meeting  held  on  28.12.2012.  The  Policy  makes  several  recommendations  for  conservation, development and improved management of water resources in the country. The salient features of the National Water Policy, 2012 are at Annexure I.
- (b) Under the Human Resources Development & Capacity Building scheme of Ministry of Water Resources,  River  Development  and  Ganga  Rejuvenation,  the  Rajiv  Gandhi  National  Ground  Water Training  &  Research  Institute  has  developed  training  modules  for  Tier  III  trainings  comprising components of groundwater management and water use efficiency for the target groups mainly farmers, Panchayati  Raj  Institutions,  Non-Government  Organisations  and  other  stakeholders.  Central  Ground Water  Board  under  this  Ministry  has  so  far  conducted  278  trainings  of  Tier  III  wherein  over  40,500

personals have been trained at Block level during the XII five year plan. The State-wise details of tier III trainings are given at Annexure II.

(c) Several measures for protection of sources of water viz., rivers, lakes, tanks, ponds, wells, etc. are undertaken by the respective State Governments. Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments by  way  of  technical  and  financial  assistance  through  various  schemes  and  programs  viz. schemes  for  Repair,  Renovation  &  Restoration  of  Water-bodies,  National  Plan  for  Conservation  of Aquatic Ecosystems, National River Conservation Plan etc.

The  National  Water  Policy,  2012  has,  inter-alia,  recommended  that  conservation  of  rivers,  river corridors,  water  bodies  and  infrastructure  should  be  undertaken  in  a  scientifically  planned  manner through community participation and that sources of water and water bodies should not be allowed to get polluted.

The  Policy  has  further  recommended  that  encroachments  and  diversion  of  water  bodies  (like  rivers, lakes, tanks, ponds, etc.) and drainage channels (irrigated area as well as urban area drainage) must not be allowed, and wherever it has taken place, it should be restored to the extent feasible and maintained properly.

The  Central  Pollution  Control  Board  (CPCB)  along  with  the  State  Pollution  Control  Boards  (SPCB) issues pollution norms for water bodies and also monitors the water quality through a network of stations all  over  India.  Central  Water  Commission  (CWC) also monitors water quality parameters of rivers at selected locations. Similarly, Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) monitors the availability as well as quality of ground water. The Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act 1974 and Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution)  Cess  Act,  1977  form  the  basis  of  water  pollution  regulations  in  the  country. Necessary action against the polluters of water is taken by the concerned authorities under the different laws/rules framed by the Government in this regard.

(Annexure referred to in reply to Part (a) of the Unstarred Question No. 845 to be answered on 21.07.2016 in the Lok Sabha regarding 'National Policy on Water Resources')

## SALIENT FEATURES OF NATIONAL WATER POLICY (2012)

1. Emphasis on the need for a national water framework law, comprehensive legislation for optimum development of inter-State rivers and river valleys.
2. Water, after meeting the pre-emptive needs for safe drinking water and sanitation, achieving food security,  supporting  poor  people  dependent  on  agriculture  for  their  livelihood  and  high  priority allocation  for  minimum  eco-system  needs,  be  treated  as  economic  good  so  as  to  promote  its conservation and efficient use.
3. Ecological needs of the river should be determined recognizing that river flows are characterized by  low  or  no  flows,  small  floods  (freshets),  large  floods  and  flow  variability  and  should accommodate development needs. A portion of river flows should be kept aside to meet ecological needs ensuring that the proportional low and high flow releases correspond in time closely to the natural flow regime.
4. Adaptation strategies in view of climate change for designing and management of water resources structures and review of acceptability criteria has been emphasized.
5. A system to evolve benchmarks for water uses for different purposes, i.e., water  footprints, and water auditing be developed to ensure efficient use of water. Project financing has been suggested as a tool to incentivize efficient & economic use of water.
6. Setting up of Water Regulatory Authority has been recommended. Incentivization of recycle and re-use has been recommended.
7. Water Users Associations should be given statutory powers to collect and retain a portion of water charges, manage the volumetric quantum of water allotted to them and maintain the distribution system in their jurisdiction.
8. Removal of large disparity in stipulations for water supply in urban areas and in rural areas has been recommended.
9. Water resources projects and services should be managed with community participation. Wherever the State Governments or local governing bodies so decide, the private sector can be encouraged to become  a  service  provider  in  public  private  partnership  model  to  meet  agreed  terms  of  service delivery, including penalties for failure.
10. Adequate  grants  to  the  States  to  update  technology,  design  practices,  planning  and  management practices, preparation of annual water balances and accounts for the site and basin, preparation of hydrologic balances for water systems, and benchmarking and performance evaluation etc.

(Annexure referred to in reply to Part (b) of the Unstarred Question No. 845 to be answered on 21.07.2016 in the Lok Sabha regarding 'National Policy on Water Resources')

## STATE WISE DETAILS OF NUMBERS OF TIER -III TRAININGS CONDUCTED DURING XII PLAN PERIOD

| CGWB Regional Office   | State/UT                    | 2012-13                    | 2012-13             | 2013-14                   | 2013-14              | 2014-15                    | 2014-15              | 2015-16                    | 2015-16              | Last four years (2012-16)   | Last four years (2012-16)   | of Tier-III trainings planned 2016-   |
|------------------------|-----------------------------|----------------------------|---------------------|---------------------------|----------------------|----------------------------|----------------------|----------------------------|----------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| CGWB Regional Office   | State/UT                    | No. of Tier-III Training s | No. of participants | No. of Tier-III Trainings | No. of participant s | No. of Tier-III Training s | No. of partici pants | No. of Tier-III Training s | No. of participan ts | No. of Tier- III Trainings  | No. of participants         | of Tier-III trainings planned 2016-   |
| NWR, Chandigarh        | 1. Punjab                   | 2                          | 288                 | 3                         | 382                  | 1                          | 103                  | 1                          | 102                  | 7                           | 875                         | 1                                     |
|                        | 2. Haryana                  | 3                          | 508                 | 3                         | 379                  | 1                          | 215                  | 1                          | 130                  | 8                           | 1232                        | 1                                     |
|                        | 3. Chandigarh               |                            |                     |                           |                      |                            |                      |                            |                      | 0                           | 0                           |                                       |
| WR, Jaipur             | 4. Rajasthan                | 6                          | 1301                | 6                         | 763                  | 3                          | 412                  | 3                          | 1301                 | 18                          | 3777                        | 2                                     |
| WCR, Ahmedabad         | 5. Gujarat                  | 5                          | 735                 | 5                         | 678                  | 1                          | 130                  | 2                          | 340                  | 13                          | 1883                        | 2                                     |
|                        | 6. Daman &Diu               |                            |                     |                           |                      |                            |                      |                            |                      | 0                           | 0                           |                                       |
| NCCR, Raipur           | 7. Chhattisgarh             | 5                          | 670                 | 5                         | 623                  | 1                          | 136                  | 2                          | 329                  | 13                          | 1758                        | 2                                     |
| CR, Nagpur             | 8. Maharashtra              | 6                          | 1418                | 6                         | 1040                 | 1                          | 163                  | 3                          | 360                  | 16                          | 2981                        | 2                                     |
|                        | 9. Dadra& Nagar Haveli      |                            |                     |                           |                      |                            |                      |                            |                      | 0                           | 0                           |                                       |
| NR, Lucknow            | 10. Uttar Pradesh           | 6                          | 1144                | 5                         | 736                  | 13                         | 1907                 | 4                          | 1002                 | 28                          | 4789                        | 2                                     |
| MER, Patna             | 11. Bihar                   | 4                          | 507                 | 4                         | 556                  | 1                          | 140                  | 1                          | 140                  | 10                          | 1343                        | 1                                     |
|                        | 12. Jharkhand               | 2                          | 274                 | 2                         | 253                  | 1                          | 153                  | 2                          | 260                  | 7                           | 940                         | 1                                     |
| ER, Kolkata            | 13. West Bengal             | 5                          | 568                 | 5                         | 508                  | 1                          | 123                  | 3                          | 336                  | 14                          | 1535                        | 2                                     |
|                        | 14. Sikkim                  |                            |                     |                           |                      |                            |                      |                            |                      | 0                           | 0                           |                                       |
|                        | 15. Andaman Nicobar Islands |                            |                     |                           |                      |                            |                      |                            |                      | 0                           | 0                           |                                       |
| NER, Guwahati          | 16. Assam                   | 4                          | 301                 | 4                         | 379                  | 1                          | 106                  | 4                          | 492                  | 13                          | 1278                        | 1                                     |
|                        | 17. Meghalaya               | 2                          | 200                 | 1                         | 192                  |                            |                      | 1                          | 140                  | 4                           | 532                         | 1                                     |
|                        | 18. Manipur                 |                            |                     |                           |                      |                            |                      |                            |                      | 0                           | 0                           |                                       |
|                        | 19. Mizoram                 |                            |                     |                           |                      | 1                          | 93                   |                            |                      | 1                           | 93                          |                                       |

| CGWB Regional Office   | State/UT                 | 2012-13                    | 2012-13             | 2013-14                   | 2013-14              | 2014-15                    | 2014-15              | 2015-16                    | 2015-16              | Last four years (2012-16)   | Last four years (2012-16)   | No of Tier-III trainings planned in 2016- 17   |
|------------------------|--------------------------|----------------------------|---------------------|---------------------------|----------------------|----------------------------|----------------------|----------------------------|----------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|------------------------------------------------|
| CGWB Regional Office   | State/UT                 | No. of Tier-III Training s | No. of participants | No. of Tier-III Trainings | No. of participant s | No. of Tier-III Training s | No. of partici pants | No. of Tier-III Training s | No. of participan ts | No. of Tier- III Trainings  | No. of participants         | No of Tier-III trainings planned in 2016- 17   |
|                        | 20. Nagaland 21. Tripura |                            |                     |                           |                      |                            |                      |                            |                      | 0                           | 0                           |                                                |
|                        |                          | 1                          | 110                 | 1                         | 73                   |                            |                      | 1                          | 100                  | 3                           | 283                         |                                                |
|                        | 22. Arunachal Pradesh    | 1                          | 60                  | 1                         | 48                   |                            |                      | 1                          | 79                   | 3                           | 187                         |                                                |
| SER, Bhubaneswar       | 23. Odisha               | 5                          | 501                 | 5                         | 501                  | 0                          |                      | 2                          | 213                  | 12                          | 1215                        | 2                                              |
| SR, Hyderabad          | 24. Andhra Pradesh       | 2                          | 346                 | 4                         | 578                  | 1                          | 113                  | 2                          | 250                  | 9                           | 1287                        | 1                                              |
|                        | 25. Telangana            | 4                          | 777                 | 2                         | 355                  | 1                          | 127                  | 2                          | 237                  | 9                           | 1496                        | 1                                              |
| SWR, Bangalore         | 26. Karnataka            | 6                          | 1091                | 6                         | 813                  | 1                          | 147                  | 1                          | 135                  | 14                          | 2186                        | 2                                              |
|                        | 27. Goa                  |                            |                     |                           |                      |                            |                      |                            |                      | 0                           | 0                           |                                                |
| KR, Trivandrum         | 28. Kerala               | 5                          | 952                 | 5                         | 687                  | 0                          |                      | 2                          | 240                  | 12                          | 1879                        | 2                                              |
|                        | 29. Lakshadweep          |                            |                     |                           |                      |                            |                      |                            |                      | 0                           | 0                           |                                                |
| NHR, Dharamsala        | 30. Himachal Pradesh     | 5                          | 806                 | 5                         | 605                  | 0                          |                      | 1                          | 98                   | 11                          | 1509                        | 1                                              |
| NWHR, Jammu            | 31. Jammu & Kashmir      | 5                          | 769                 | 4                         | 351                  | 0                          |                      | 0                          | 0                    | 9                           | 1120                        | 2                                              |
| SECR, Chennai          | 32. Tamil Nadu           | 5                          | 1034                | 5                         | 894                  | 1                          | 214                  | 2                          | 313                  | 13                          | 2455                        | 2                                              |
|                        | 33. Puducherry           |                            |                     |                           |                      |                            |                      |                            |                      | 0                           | 0                           |                                                |
| NCR, Bhopal            | 34. Madhya Pradesh       | 5                          | 636                 | 5                         | 772                  | 5                          | 648                  | 3                          | 415                  | 18                          | 2471                        | 2                                              |
| UR, Dehradun           | 35. Uttarakhand          | 5                          | 569                 | 5                         | 520                  | 0                          |                      | 2                          | 425                  | 12                          | 1514                        | 2                                              |
| SUO, New Delhi         | 36. Delhi                | 1                          | 75                  |                           | 0                    |                            |                      |                            |                      | 1                           | 75                          |                                                |
| TOTAL                  | TOTAL                    | 100                        | 15640               | 97                        | 12686                | 35                         | 4930                 | 46                         | 7437                 | 278                         | 40693                       | 35                                             |