THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION
(Prof. SANWAR LAL JAT):
(a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. †*181 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2016 IN LOK SABHA REGARDING “RAIN WATER HARVESTING” ASKED BY SHRI LALLU SINGH AND SHRI LAXMI NARAYAN YADAV, HON’BLE M.Ps, LOK SABHA:
(a) India receives an average rainfall of about 1170 mm, which corresponds to an annual precipitation of about 4000 BCM (Billion Cubic Metre) including snowfall, with considerable variation in rainfall, both temporally and spatially. Nearly 75% of this i.e., 3000 BCM occurs during the monsoon season confined to 3 to 4 months (June to September) in a year. After accounting for evaporation and evapo-transpiration, the average annual water availability in the Country has been assessed as 1869 BCM. It has been estimated that owing to topographic, hydrological and other constraints, the utilizable water is 1123 BCM, which comprises of 690 BCM of surface water and 433 BCM of replenishable ground water resources.
(b) & (c) As per information available with Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), 1109 complaints of illegal extraction of ground water by digging of bore-wells have been received from 9 States including National Capital Region (NCR) during last three years (2013-15). State-wise number of complaints received regarding illegal extraction of ground water by digging of bore-wells in the last three years is given at Annexure. The corrective action taken by the concerned Deputy Commissioner/SDM/Authorized Officer is in the form of sealing of illegal bore-wells, seizure of boring machines, disconnection of power to energized bore-wells and imposition of penalty by the Judicial Magistrate having local jurisdiction.
(d) Central Government has taken several steps for promoting rain water harvesting measures in various parts of the Country which are as under:
• The National Water Policy (2012) formulated by Ministry of Water Resources, RD & GR, inter-alia, advocates conservation, promotion and protection of water and highlights the need for augmenting the availability of water through rain water harvesting, direct use of rainfall and other management measures. The National Water Policy (2012) has been forwarded to all State Governments/ UTs and concerned Ministries/ Departments of Central Government for adoption of the policy.
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• This Ministry has circulated a Model Bill to all the States/UTs to enable them to enact suitable ground water legislation for its regulation and development, which includes provision of rain water harvesting. So far, 15 States/UTs have adopted and implemented the ground water legislation on the lines of Model bill.
• CGWB has also prepared a conceptual document entitled “Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water in India” during 2013, involving ground water scientists/experts. The Master Plan envisages construction of 1.11 crore rain water harvesting and artificial recharge structures in the Country at an estimated cost of Rs. 79,178 Crores to harness 85 BCM (Billion Cubic Metre) of water. The augmented ground water resources will enhance the availability of water for drinking, domestic, industrial and irrigation purpose. The Master Plan has been circulated to all State Governments for implementation.
• As per Schedule-I of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the water conservation and water harvesting structures to augment ground water constitute a special focus area for MGNREGA works and about 2/3rd of the expenditure is directly related to construction of water harvesting structures.
• Besides, Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has issued directives to the Chief Secretaries of all States and the Administrators of all UTs to take measures to promote/adopt artificial recharge to ground water / rain water harvesting. 30 States/UTs have made rain water harvesting mandatory by enacting laws or by formulating rules & regulations or by including provisions in Building bye-laws or through suitable Government Orders.
• CGWB has taken up Aquifer Mapping and Management programme during XII Plan, under the scheme of Ground Water Management and Regulation. The Aquifer Mapping is aimed at delineating aquifer disposition and their characterization for preparation of aquifer/area specific ground water management plans. These management plans will be shared with the respective State Governments for taking appropriate corrective measures.
• CGWB has been organizing mass awareness programmes in the Country to promote rain water harvesting and artificial recharge to ground water.
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ANNEXURE
Annexure referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No.181 due for reply on 10.03.2016 regarding “Rain Water Harvesting”
State-wise details of Action Taken on complaints received regarding illegal extraction of ground water by digging of bore-wells during last three years (2013-15)
Sl. No. States/ UTs No. of cases Action taken on Complaint
1. Andhra Pradesh 1 • CGWA referred to concerned Deputy Commissioners for action.
• Action taken report awaited.
2. Gujarat 1 • CGWA referred to concerned Deputy Commissioner for action.
• Action taken report awaited.
3. Haryana 358 All illegal bore-wells sealed and drilling rigs seized by Office of Deputy Commissioner
4.. Karnataka 10 Penalty imposed by the Office of Deputy Commissioner/ Collector
5. NCT Delhi 611 • Cases of violations found in 526 cases.
• In rest of the cases, no violation was detected.
• In case of violations, Bore-wells sealed by Deputy Commissioner / penalty imposed by the Magistrate
6. Rajasthan 120 • All illegal bore-wells sealed and drilling rigs seized by concerned District Collector.
• 39 cases pending in Court.
7. Tamil Nadu 4 CGWA referred to concerned District Collector for action.
Action taken report awaited.
8. Telangana 2 • CGWA referred to concerned Deputy Commissioner for action.
• Action taken report awaited.
9. Uttar Pradesh 2 • Referred to concerned Deputy Commissioner for action.
• Action taken report awaited.
Total 1109
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