Question : Jal Shakti Abhiyan

(a) whether the Government has recently launched a Jal Shakti Abhiyan;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with its budgetary allocation;
(c) whether there is any proposal to charge water conservation fee for the use of ground water by industries and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government’s infrastructure and mining projects along with its water supply agencies have been exempted from this fee; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government so far in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE FORJAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA)

(a)& (b)Ministry of Jal Shakti has launched Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA), which is a time- bound, mission-mode water conservation campaign. JSA is a collaborative effort of various Ministries of the Government of India and State Governments, being coordinated by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti. Under JSA, total 1592 blocks have been selected in 256 ground water stressed districts. Out of 1592 blocks, 312 are critical blocks, 1186 are over-exploited blocks and 94 blocks are with low groundwater availability. In JSA, Government has deputed 256 Additional Secretary / Joint Secretary Level officers posted in Government of India as Central Nodal Officers (CNOs) to each of 256 water stressed districts who will coordinate the implementation, review progress and provide feedback on five interventions namely (i) water conservation and rainwater harvesting, (ii) renovation of traditional and other water bodies/tanks, (iii) reuse and bore well recharge structures, (iv) watershed development, and (v) intensive afforestation. They are being assisted by DS/Director level officers and Technical officers from Central Government alongwith the District officials.

(c) to (e) Presently, no such proposal is under consideration of the Government.

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