Question : WATER IN CONCURRENT LIST

(a) whether the Government is considering nationalisation of rivers and if so, the reasons therefor;

(b) the details of the schemes formulated by the Union Government for rationalized sharing and proper utilisation of river waters;

(c) whether there is a proposal to bring the water under concurrent list or Union list to speed up resolution of the water sharing disputes such as, Ravi-Beas, Mandovi, Krishna Rivers and the Mullaperiyar Dam;

(d) if so, the time by which the final decision is likely to be taken in this regard; and

(e) if not, the concrete steps taken by the Union Government to resolve the inter- State water disputes?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION; PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND TEXTILES (INDEPENDENT CHARGE). (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a) No, Madam.

(b) Water being a State subject, State Governments make allocations of water for different uses viz. drinking, irrigation, industrial, etc. as per the project designs, taking into consideration their priorities and requirements, Inter State Agreements, Tribunal Awards and the provisions of the National Water Policy and State Water Policies.

In addition, the State Governments have taken several measures to augment the water resources which, inter-alia, include conservation of water resources in reservoirs & traditional water bodies, rain water harvesting and artificial recharge of ground water. The Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments by providing technical and financial assistance to the State Governments through various schemes and programmes such as Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) and Repair, Renovation and Restoration of Water Bodies etc.

(c) to (e) No, Madam. There is presently no proposal to bring water under Union List or Concurrent List. Inter-State water disputes are resolved as per the inter-State agreements or as per the decision of Inter State Water Disputes Tribunal set up under the provisions of Inter State Water Disputes Act, 1956 (amended in 2002) under Article 262 of the Constitution of India.