(a) whether the ground water is continuously being tapped in the country;
(b) if so, whether the Government has got conducted a study of the problems and water
crises arising out of continuous exploitation of ground water; and
(c) if so, the details thereof, State/ UT-wise?
THE MINISTER OF WATER RESOURCES ( SHRI HARISH RAWAT)
(a) Yes Madam, ground water is continuously being tapped in the Country for drinking,
irrigation and various other purposes. This has resulted in decline in the ground water level
in various parts of the Country. In order to assess the impact, Central Ground Water Board
(CGWB) under the ministry of Water Resources carries out regular studies on ground water
regime through a network of ground water monitoring stations all over the Country. (CGWB)
in association with the respective State Governments also assesses the replenishable ground
water resources of the Country. The latest assessment of replenishable ground water resources
(as on 2009) indicates that 802 assessment units (Block/Mandals/Talukas) fall under ‘over-
exploited’ catergory, 169 units fall under ‘critical’ category and 523 units fall under ‘semi-
critical’ category. Details of State-wise categorization and criteria for categorization of
assessment units is given in Annexure.