THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION & PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)
(a) Yes, Madam. An agreement namely “Agreement amongst the States of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, National Capital Territory of Delhi and Rajasthan on Construction of Renukaji Dam Project in Upper Yamuna Basin” for implementation of Renukaji Dam Project proposed on river Giri, a tributary of river Yamuna was signed by Hon’ble Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and National Capital Territory of Delhi and Hon’ble Minister (WR, RD & GR), Govt. of India on 11th January, 2019 at New Delhi.
River Giri/Yamuna comes under Ganga Basin which is not flowing to Pakistan.
(b) The average annual water potential in the country has been assessed as 1869 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM). The average annual water availability of any region or country is largely dependent upon hydro-meteorological and geological factors and is generally constant. However, the per
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capita water availability of India is reducing progressively due to increase in population. Due to high temporal and spatial variation of precipitation, the water availability of many regions of the country is below the national average and may result in water stress / scarce conditions in those regions.
Water being a State subject, steps for augmentation, conservation and efficient management of water resources including mitigation of water scarcity are primarily undertaken by the respective State Governments. In order to supplement the efforts of the State Governments, Central Government provides technical and financial assistance to them through various schemes and programmes. Central Government has taken various steps to mitigate water scarcity and drought conditions in the country.
The ongoing key programmes, whereby management and distribution of river waters is sought to be continuously improved, include Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP), Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM), Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) 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.
(c) The agreement on Construction of Renukaji Dam Project has been signed by the concerned States. The commencement of construction of the project depends upon various statutory clearances by the Project Authorities and the funding arrangement.
(d) Under Indus Waters Treaty 1960, India has been allocated all the waters of Eastern Rivers (The Satluj, The Ravi & The Beas) whereas Pakistan shall receive for unrestricted waters of Western Rivers (The Chenab, The Jhelum & The Indus). A number of storage, diversion and interlinking projects e.g. Bhakra Dam, Pong Dam, Ranjit Sagar (Thein) Dam, Beas-Satluj Link Project, Madhopur-Beas Link Project etc have been constructed by India on the Eastern rivers to optimally utilise the waters of these rivers. Few other projects on Eastern rivers e.g. Shahpurkandi Dam Project, Ujh Multipurpose Project and Second Ravi-Beas Link Project to further optimise its utilisation are under various stages of implementation / formulation. These three projects have been declared as National Projects and as such are eligible for financial assistance by Govt. of India.
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