THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION & PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)
(a) The NITI Aayog has prepared a report on Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) and it is available on NITI Aayog’s website under URL http://social.niti.gov.in/wtr-ranking. The purpose of the exercise is to (i) establish a baseline and bench mark for state level performance on key water indicators (ii) uncover and explain how States have progressed on water issues over time, including identifying high performers and under – performers thereby including a culture of constructive competition among states and (iii) identify areas of deeper engagement and investment on the part of the State.
The report ranked Gujarat on the best performing state whereas Rajasthan was ranked number one in term of incremental improvement.
(b) The average annual water resources potential in the country is assessed as 1869 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM). The increase in population, agricultural and industrial demands results in reduction in per capita water availability. In 1951, the per capita water availability was about 5,177 cubic meter per year. On the basis of the population indicated in 2011 census, the per capita water availability works out to about 1,545 cubic meter per year. Thus, the per capita average annual water availability in the country is reducing progressively due to increase in population, thereby causing water stress. In case the available water resources potential of the country is not optimally developed and the increasing demands of population, agriculture and industrial growth is not properly managed, the condition of water stress can cause deterioration of fresh water resources.
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(c) & (d) Yes, the Government has taken a number of measures to address the issues of ground water, restoration of water-bodies, irrigation, farm practices, drinking water etc. National Water Policy (2012) advocates the need for augmenting the availability of water through rain water harvesting, direct use of rainfall and other management measures. The Union Ministry of Water Resources, RD & GR (MoWR, RD & GR) has circulated a Model Bill to all the States to enable them to enact suitable ground water legislation including rain water harvesting. Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has prepared a conceptual Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water. Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Ministry of Urban Development has circulated Model Building Bye Laws (2016) which includes provision for Rainwater Harvesting. Department of Land Resources is currently implementing watershed development projects in 28 States under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojna (PMKSY). The ongoing key programmes of MoWR, RD & GR, whereby management of water is sought to be continuously improved, include Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP), Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM), Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI), Repair, Renovation & Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies and Flood Management & Border Area Programme (FMBAP). Further, aiming for nation-wide water reforms, the Union Ministry is also striving for bringing consensus on certain key initiatives including National Water Framework, River Basin Management, Inter-basin Transfer of River Water and Improving Water-use Efficiency.
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