Lok Sabha Question No. 3177 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-17
Subject: Norms for Extraction of Ground Water
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, KAMAL NATH, JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, DUSHYANT CHAUTALA, T. RADHAKRISHNAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES,

## RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3177

ANSWERED ON 17.12.2015

## NORMS FOR EXTRACTION OF GROUND WATER

| 3177.   | SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK SHRIKAMALNATH SHRI SATAV RAJEEV DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH   | DR. HEENA VIJAYKU MAR GAVIT SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA SHANKAR RAO   |
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Will  the  Minister  of  WATER  RESOURCES,  RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND  GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Central  Ground  Water  Authority  (CGWA)  has  introduced  new  rules/norms regarding extraction of ground water;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether various industries have represented to the Government against the move and if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto;

(d) the corrective steps taken by the Government in the interest of stakeholders; and

(e)  the  other  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  avoid  unnecessary  extraction  of ground water?

## ANSWER

## THE  HON'BLE  MINISTER  FOR  WATER  RESOURCES,  RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND GANGA REJUVENATION

(PROF. SANWAR LAL JAT)

(a)  &  (b)    Yes,  the  Central  Ground  Water  Authority  (CGWA)  has  proposed  revision  of  the  guidelines issued  in  the  year  2012,  in  compliance  to  the  directions  of  various  orders  of  Hon'ble  National  Green Tribunal, which would bring the existing industries/Units under the ambit of ground water guidelines. As per the guidelines of the year 2012, only new and industries seeking expansion fall under the purview of guidelines. Some of the major amendments in the proposed revised guidelines include:

- Obtaining  NOC  for  ground  water  withdrawal  made  mandatory  for  all  Industries/  Projects  using ground water irrespective of its date of coming into existence, category of the area and quantum of ground water withdrawal.

- In order to make gainful use of saline ground water, it has been specified that NOC for using saline ground water could be considered for all kinds of industries / projects in notified & over-exploited areas.
- A processing fee of Rs. 1000/- for fresh NOC and Rs.500/- for renewal of NOC has been provided for.

(c) & (d) Some representations with suggestions/comments have been received by CGWA and the same are under examination as the last date to receive suggestions is 16.12.2015.

(e)  Other steps taken/ being taken by the Government to avoid unnecessary extraction of ground water include:

- Ministry of Water Resources, RD & GR has circulated a Model Bill to all the States/UTs to enable them to enact ground water legislation for its regulation and development. So far, 15 States/UTs have adopted and implemented the ground water legislation on the lines of Model bill
- Implementation of Central Sector Scheme of 'Ground Water Management and Regulation' during XII Plan, inter-alia, envisages aquifer mapping and management program, participatory management of groundwater involving Panchayat Raj Institutions, local communities, NGOs and other stakeholders for ensuring sustainable management of groundwater resources in the Country etc.
- Central Ground Water Board (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.
- As per Schedule-I of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the water conservation and water harvesting structures to augment ground water constitute a special focus area for MGNREGA works and about 2/3 rd of the expenditure is directly related to construction of water harvesting structures.
- Organizing  Mass  Awareness  Programmes,  Water  Management  Training  Programmes  &  other trainings, Workshops, Painting Competitions, Hamara Jal Hamara Jeevan Programmes, Jal Kranti Abhiyan etc. to support water conservation in  rural areas.

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