(a) whether the Government is considering participation of private sector in planning, development and management of water resources projects in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
(b) whether the Government is considering a special plan for drought prone areas and if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION
(DR. SANJEEV BALYAN)
(a) Water is a State subject. Water Resources Projects are planned, funded, executed and maintained by the State Governments themselves as per their own resources and priority. In order to supplement the efforts of the State Governments, MoWR, RD & GR provides financial assistance to the State Governments to encourage sustainable development and efficient management of water resources through various schemes such as Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) etc. under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). The National Water Policy 2012, inter-alia recommends that water resources projects and services should be managed with community participation. For improved service delivery on sustainable basis, the State Governments / urban local bodies may associate private sector in public private partnership mode with penalties for failure, under regulatory control on prices charged and service standards with full accountability to democratically elected local bodies.
(b) Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation had constituted technical teams comprising officers of Central Water Commission, Central Ground Water Board for on the spot study of water situation in drought affected areas during 2016.
Earlier also, this Ministry decided to prepare a vulnerability map and remedial measure for optimum availability of water of the Bundelkhand region for which a team of the Central Government was constituted to visit the Bundelkhand region and to prepare a vulnerability map.
The Technical Teams have suggested various long/short term measures based on the region/area/states specific to mitigate water scarcity situation including Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Construction of water harvesting structures, mass awareness among citizens for water conservation, construction of new water storage structures, interlinking of rivers, renovation and repair of existing water bodies are commonly recommended, which were communicated to State Government for implementation. Further, the Ministry has initiated following short-term, medium-term and long-term measures to mitigate drought and drought like situation: -
1. Ministry/CWC monitors water level of 91 major reservoirs and issues weekly bulletin of water storage position and issue advisory through CWC for prudent use of water in case of deficient rainfall predicted by IMD.
2. A Committee under the Chairmanship of Water Resources Minister (Chhattisgarh) was constituted to look into the issues related to implementation of PMKSY. The committee in consultation with States identified ninety nine (99) ongoing projects under AIBP having potential of 76.03 lakh ha. for completion in phases up to December, 2019. For completion of these projects in a mission mode, innovative funding mechanism through NABARD has been approved by the Government. Further, a Mission has also been established for implementation of these 99 projects.
3. The Ministry has also formulated a National Perspective Plan (NPP) envisaging inter-basin transfer of water consisting of two components- Himalayan rivers component (14 links) and Peninsula rivers component (16 links), which is likely to add another 35 million hectares of irrigation potential, 34000 MW hydro power, flood moderation, navigation, drinking and industrial water supply, fisheries, salinity and pollution control etc.
4. Jal Kranti Abhiyan (2015-16 to 2017-18) has been launched 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.
5. The Ministry had prepared a conceptual “Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water in India in the year 2013” and circulated to all State Governments for implementation. The plan envisages construction of 1.11 crore rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge structures in the country to harness 85 BCM of water to enhance the availability of ground water for various purposes.
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