To enable every rural household to have provision of tap water supply, Government of India in partnership with States is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal, since August 2019. At the time of announcement of Jal Jeevan Mission in August 2019, 3.23 Crore (17%) rural households were reported to have tap water connections. So far, as reported by States/ UTs as on 20.03.2023, additional 8.26 Crore rural households have been provided with tap water connections in last three and half years under JJM. Thus, as on 20.03.2023, out of 19.43 Crore rural households in the country, around 11.49 Crore (59%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes.

Under JJM, the water sources inter alia which include groundwater (open well, borewell, tube well, handpumps, etc.), ancient & traditional surface water (river, reservoir, lake, pond, springs, etc.) and rain water stored in small tanks are being used as sources for drinking water supply schemes. Details of individual projects/ schemes for rural water supply projects including water source for scheme are not maintained at the Government of India level.
(c) Water being a State subject, steps for augmentation, conservation and efficient management of water resources are primarily undertaken by the respective State Governments. For supplementing the efforts of the States for augmentation, conservation and efficient management of water resources, the Central Government has taken various steps for sustainable ground water management in the country. A few of these are as under:

 

i.)    Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has taken up National Aquifer Mapping and Management (NAQUIM) programme under Ground Water Management and Regulation scheme with the objectives to delineate the aquifers, characterize them and prepare management plans. The recommendations of NAQUIM include both supply side interventions and demand side interventions. The demand side interventions like Micro irrigation, crop diversification etc. are recommended in feasible areas to reduce the dependency on the ground water. The recommendations are shared with the State Governments.
ii.)    Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR), Ministry of Jal Shakti has circulated a Model Bill to all the States/UTs to enable them to enact suitable ground water legislation for regulation of its development, which also includes provision of rain water harvesting. So far, 21 States/UTs have adopted and implemented the ground water legislation. 
iii.)    National Water Policy (2012) has been formulated by Department of Water Resources, RD & GR, which inter-alia advocates rainwater harvesting and conservation of water and highlights the need for augmenting the availability of water through direct use of rainfall. It also inter-alia, advocates conservation of river, river bodies and infrastructure should be undertaken in a scientifically planned manner through community participation. Further, encroachment and diversion of water bodies and drainage channels must not be allowed and wherever, it has taken place, it should be restored to the extent feasible and maintained properly.
iv.)    Model Building Bye Laws (MBBL) 2016 circulated by Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs include provisions for Rainwater Harvesting and it has been shared with all the States/ UTs. So far, baring Sikkim, Lakshadweep and Mizoram all the States/UTs have adopted the provisions of rainwater harvesting of MBBL-2016.
The other measures taken by the Central Government for sustainable ground water management in the country can be seen at: http://jalshakti-dowr.gov.in/sites/default/files/Steps%20taken%20by%20the%20Central%20Govt%20for%20water_depletion_july2022.pdf

This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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AS
 

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