(a) whether the Government is mapping the ground water during
the Twelfth Five Year Plan period to ensure transparency and
participatory mechanisms for water pricing by primary stakeholders;
and
(b) if so, the details worked out so far State-wise especially
in Southern States?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES & MINORITY AFFAIRS
(SHRI VINCENT H. PALA)
(a) Central Ground Water Board under the Ministry of Water Resources has
taken up pilot projects on aquifer mapping during the Twelfth Plan, which will
lead to more accurate assessment of ground water resources, defining aquifer
geometry and potential including water quality. Aquifer mapping will provide
better insight for ground water management. However, it has not been linked
to water pricing by the primary or any category of water user/ stakeholders.
(b) Pilot projects on aquifer mapping have been taken up in parts of five
States namely Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. Based
on the outcome of these projects, successful techniques will be replicated in
other areas of the country.