(a) whether the Government has started construction of concrete dams in the rural areas of
Maharashtra to store water during last three years;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to undertake such works in the other States of the country;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF WATER RESOURCES (SHRI HARISH RAWAT)
(a) & (b) As reported by the Government of Maharashtra, the State Government has taken the decision
to construct Cement Nalla Bandhs (plain cement concrete) in Series as drought mitigation measure in the
year 2012-13 to augment the depleted ground water level effectively and to give protective irrigation to
crops. The allocation from the State budget is rupees 150 crore and construction of 1652 Cement Nalla
Bandhs is being taken up. Construction of 682 Cement Nalla Bandhs with total expenditure of rupees 71.19
crore is reportedly completed.
(c), (d) & (e) No such proposals have been made by the State Governments. Water is a State subject
and it is the primary responsibility of the State Governments to take necessary measures to conceive, plan,
implement, develop and manage water resources projects.