Lok Sabha Question No. 792 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-28
Subject: Availability of Water and its Sources/ Resources
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: RAM KUMAR SHARMA KUSHWAHA, KAMAL NATH, JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 792

ANSWERED ON 28.04.2016

## AVAILABILITY OF WATER AND ITS SOURCES/ RESOURCES

## †792.      SHRI RAM KUMAR SHARMA SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA

## SHRI KAMAL NATH

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

(a)  whether the  Central Water Commission has taken a decision to send a team to certain States of the country including Maharashtra to obtain information regarding availability of water and its sources/resources there;

(b) if so, the details and the findings thereof along with action taken thereon, if any;

(c) whether the Government has decided to seek the help of Israel in managing water resources;

(d) if so, the details and outcome thereof; and

(e) the details of other alternatives the Government proposes to take to ensure overhaul of water resources projects in an effective way?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  WATER  RESOURCES,  RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND  GANGA REJUVENATION (PROF. SANWAR LAL JAT)

(a) & (b)Yes, Madam, this Ministry had deputed a technical team having representatives from CWC, CGWB and other  experts  for  an  on  the  spot  assessment  of  water  situation  in  Latur  district  of  Maharashtra.  The  team  has suggested  short  and  long  term  measures  including  excavation  of  bore  wells,  artificial  recharge,  rainwater harvesting,  mass  awareness  programmes  on  water  conservation  and  interlinking  of  Bhima  and  Manjara  Rivers. Further, Central Water Commission (CWC) has directed regional Chief Engineers  to prepare a status report for Vidharbha  and  Marathwada  in  Maharashtra,  Jharkhand,  Telangana,  Bundelkhand  in  UP,  Gujarat,  Chhattisgarh, Karnataka  and  Tamil  Nadu  in  consultation  with  the  concerned  regional  Central  Ground  Water  Board    and  the respective State Governments.

(c) & (d) Yes, Madam, an MoU between India and Israel on Water Resource Management has been approved by the Government.  It, inter-alia, envisages collaborating and sharing experience and expertise in the areas mutually agreed  upon,  including  techniques  in  the  efficient  use  of  water  resources,  recycling/re-use  of  waste  water, desalination, aquifer recharge, in-situ water conservation techniques, and water resource management.

(e)  Water being a State Subject, steps to ensure sustainability of water resources are undertaken by respective State Governments depending on their priority and resources. However, Central Government supplements the efforts of State Governments by providing financial assistance. The Prime Minister's Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMSKY) has been  launched  for  convergence  of  investments  in  irrigation,  enhancing  access  to  water  resources  on  the  farm, efficient use of water, sustainable water conservation practices, re-use of water etc.

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