(a) the measures taken/being taken by the Government to check the declining groundwater level and the resultant water crisis and to contain water pollution;
(b) whether any scheme related to water conservation is under consideration of the Government and if so, the details thereof; and
(c) whether the Government proposes to formulate any scheme and law to check uncontrolled exploitation of groundwater and if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI & SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA)
(a) to (c) Water being a State subject, efforts to conserve and manage ground water including quality issues is primarily States’ responsibility. However, other steps taken by the Central Government to control ground water depletion are at the following URL:
http://mowr.gov.in/sites/default/files/Steps_to_control_water_depletion_Jun2019.pdf
Government of India has launched the Jal Shakti Abhiyan which is a time bound campaign with a mission mode approach intended to improve water availability including ground water conditions in the water stressed blocks.
Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has been constituted under Section 3(3) of the ‘Environment (Protection) Act, 1986’ for the purpose of regulation and control of ground water development and management in the Country. CGWA grants No Objection Certificates for ground water abstraction through guidelines which are modified from time to time.
Further, the Consent To Operate (CTO) granted to industries by the concerned State Pollution Control Boards mandatorily stipulates adherence to laid down discharge norms of effluents
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