THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION & PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)
(a) Total requirement of the country for different uses for high demand scenario for the years 2010, 2025 and 2050 has been assessed as 710 Billion Cubic Meter (BCM), 843 BCM and 1180 BCM respectively.
(b) to (e) In order to meet present and future demands, there is a need for storing water in addition to other measures. As per information available with Central Water Commission (CWC), the live storage capacity of major reservoirs created in the country upto March, 2018 is 257.812 BCM.
Water being a State subject, steps for augmentation, conservation and efficient management of water resources to ensure sustainability and availability are primarily undertaken by the respective State Governments. In order to supplement the efforts of State Governments, Central Government provides technical and financial assistance through various schemes and programmes. With a view to meet the growing demand for water, Central Government has taken various measures such as creation of storages, restoration of water bodies, rainwater harvesting, artificial recharge to groundwater, adoption of better management practices, etc. However, no specific targets to increase the water storage capacity in the country have been fixed.
Central Government has launched Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) in 2015-16 which aims to enhance physical access of water on farm and expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on farm water use efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation practices, etc. During 2016-17, 99 on-going Major/Medium irrigation projects under PMKSY-Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) having potential of 76.03 lakh hectares were prioritized in consultation with States, for completion in phases up to December, 2019 along with their Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM) works.
The Government of India has formulated a National Perspective Plan (NPP) for Water Resources Development which envisages transfer of water from surplus basins to water deficit basins to improve availability of water.
Some other initiatives/measures taken by the Central Government to increase the availability of ground water are as under:
• Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has prepared a conceptual document titled “Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water in India” during the year 2013 envisaging construction of 1.11 Crore Rainwater Harvesting and Artificial Recharge structures in the country to harness 85 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM) of water. The augmented ground water resources will enhance the availability of water for various purposes. The Master Plan has been circulated to all State Governments for implementation.
• CGWB has taken up Aquifer Mapping and Management programme (NAQUIM) under the scheme of Ground Water Management and Regulation. The Aquifer Mapping is aimed to delineate aquifer disposition and their characterization for preparation of aquifer/area specific ground water management plans, with community participation.
• ‘Atal Bhujal Yojana’, envisaging sustainable management of ground water with emphasis on demand side management through community participation in identified over-exploited and ground water stressed areas in priority States of Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka has been proposed.
• 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.
• 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 such structures.
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