Lok Sabha Question No. 2886 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-06
Subject: Jal Kranti Abhiyan
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: DHARAM VIRA GANDHI, VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES,

## RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2886

## ANSWERED ON 06.08.2015

## 

**Jal Kranti Abhiyan**

2886. 	SHRI DHARAM VIRA

SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR

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

(a) whether the Government has launched "Jal Kranti Abhiyan" to consolidate conservation and management of water in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has issued guidelines in this regard and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government is planning to link the Chal-Khal Barrage Schemes and Jal Kranti Abhiyan, and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the details of benefits likely to be accrued as a result of the same?

## 

## ANSWER

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

(PROF. SANWAR LAL JAT)

(a) & (b) Yes, Madam. This Ministry has launched Jal Kranti Abhiyan (2015-16) in order to consolidate water conservation and management in the country through a holistic and integrated approach involving all stakeholders, making it a mass movement. In this regard, this Ministry has issued Guidelines to all the States and Union Territories and the concerned Ministries / Departments of the Central Government. Further, this Ministry has also issued ‘Step by Step Implementation Guide’ for the effective implementation of Jal Kranti Abhiyan. A statement indicating the Objectives, Strategies and Activities under the Jal Kranti Abhiyan is at Annexure-I.

(c) &(d) The Jal Kranti Abhiyan is a convergence programme for bringing all relevant existing and planned schemes of Government of India at one platform. Different schemes / techniques (traditional & new) for water conservation and security, watershed management (e.g. Chal-Khal Schemes) are to be encouraged under it.

Some of the benefits likely to accrue as a result of Jal Kranti Abhiyan are (i) strengthening of grass root level stakeholders / water users (including Panchayati Raj Institutions and local bodies), (ii) encouragement to adopt traditional knowledge in water resources conservation and management and (iii) enhancing livelihood security through water security especially in rural areas.

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**Annexure-I**

**(Annexure referred to in reply to Parts (a)& (b) of Unstarred Question No 2886 to be answered on 06.08.2015 in the Lok Sabha regarding ‘Jal Kranti Abhiyan’)**

**Statement indicating the Objectives, Strategies and Activities of “Jal Kranti Abhiyan” during the year 2015-16**

**Objectives:**

- Strengthening grass root involvement of all stakeholders including Panchayati Raj Institutions and local bodies in the water security and development schemes (e.g. Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM);
- Encouraging  the adoption/utilization of traditional knowledge in water resources conservation and its management;
- To utilize sector level expertise from different levels in government, NGO’s, citizens etc; and
- Enhancing livelihood security through water security in rural areas.

**Strategies:**

The broad strategies to be adopted for successful achievement of objectives of the “ **Jal Kranti Abhiyan”** will be as follows:

1. Use of modern techniques coupled with traditional wisdom for devising area/region specific innovative measures for increasing water security;
2. Revival of traditional knowledge and sources for water conservation and utilization;
3. Encouraging conjunctive use of surface and groundwater;
4. Promotion of appropriate technologies for efficient and sustainable use of rainwater; Old and new ground water schemes, Creation of additional facilities for water conservation through construction of water harvesting structures;
5. Rainwater harvesting for recharge to be made mandatory for residential, commercial and industrial buildings/premises;
6. Selected interventions for maintaining the specified water quality standards;
7. Convergence of efforts of various departments in water resources development and management;
8. Promotion of social regulation  for meeting the demand as well as for optimizing the use-efficiency of water for various purposes especially industry, agriculture and domestic;
9. Institutionalization of village participation in water related schemes and projects and cost sharing for O & M by the community to instill a sense of belongingness, accountability and responsible partnership.
10. Provision for incentivizing / honouring PRIs for devising innovative/unique ways to create water security in their areas for amelioration in water related issues.
11. A logo for Jal Kranti Abhiyan shall be used to connect positively with all stakeholders.

**Activities under Jal Kranti Abhiyan**

1. Jal Gram Yojana
2. Development of Model Command Area
3. Pollution abatement
4. Mass Awareness Programme
5. Other Activities