Question : AVAILABILITY OF SURFACE AND GROUND WATER

(a) whether any survey has been conducted to assess surface and ground water available in each State;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the average percentage of surface and ground water available in each State;

(c) whether the Government has provided any special package to the States having acute shortage of water during thelast three years and proposes to formulate any special scheme to provide potable water to people of these States; and

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the total amount provided to the States facing acute shortage of water, State-wiseand year-wise?

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

(a) & (b) Central Water Commission has assessed the average annual water availability in the country as 1869 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM). However, the utilizable water resources, considering topographic, hydrological and other constraints, has been estimated to be about 1123 BCM comprising 690 BCM of surface water and 433 BCM of replenishable ground water. A statement indicating the State-wise availability of ground water resources is given at Annexure I. The average water resources potential and utilizable surface water resources has been assessed basin-wise and the details are at Annexure II.

(c) & (d) With a view to augmenting the water resources for utilization for various purposes, viz. irrigation, domestic, industrial etc., several measures are undertaken by the respective State Governments which, inter-alia, include conservation of water resources through reservoir, traditional water bodies, rain water harvesting and artificial recharge of ground water. Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation provides technical and financial assistance to the State Governments through various schemes and programmes namely Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP), and Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies etc. Further, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation and Ministry of Urban Development supplement the efforts of the State Governments in providing drinking water to the rural and urban areas respectively under various schemes and programmes. The details of State- wise funds released under AIBP and RRR of Water Bodies programmes during the last three years (2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14) are at Annexures III and IV respectively.