Meetings chaired by Union Ministers, Secretaries and Senior Officers on Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA:CTR) are held with the stakeholders concerned at regular intervals and on need basis. During last one year, a number of such meetings were held on the following issues relating to JSA:CTR:

1. To review the preparation of JSA:CTR
2. Coordination with Central Government Departments/ Ministries as well as coordination with the State Governments/ UTs.
3. Orientation of Central Nodal Officers & Technical Officers.
4. Implementation of IEC activities
5. To review the progress of implementation of JSA:CTR
6. Matters relating to Information Technology applications

 

          In order to ensure seamless and successful implementation of JSA:CTR-2023, following major initiatives have been taken:

1. State Nodal Officers (SNOs) have been appointed in each State/UT for seamless coordination in implementation of JSA:CTR.
2. Nodal Officers have been appointed from partner Ministries/Departments of the Central Government for better coordination and prompt resolution of various issues.
3. Central Nodal Officers of the rank of Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary, Director, Deputy Secretary and Technical Officers drawing from Central Ground Water Board have been appointed for field visits for supporting and monitoring the activities/works under JSA:CTR.
4. Since the theme of current year's JSA:CTR is "Source Sustainability for Drinking Water, focus is being given to 150 Water Stressed Districts identified by Jal Jeevan Mission.
5. Regular communications/advisories are sent to the State Governments for better implementation of JSA:CTR and similarly regular meetings are held with them.
6. Engagement of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) for awareness generation.
7. Accelerated implementation of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities.
8. Partnership with Civil Society Organizations.
9. Improvement in IT Applications.

 

Water being a State Subject, the responsibility of rejuvenation of water bodies primarily lies with the respective State Governments. However, Central Government supports the State Governments by providing financial assistance and technical guidance. Besides, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and AMRUT 2.0 have been launched to make 500 AMRUT cities self-reliant and water secure focusing on water conservation, rainwater harvesting and ground water recharge through various methods including rejuvenation of water bodies and urban aquifer management. Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has formulated guidelines for the guidance of the States for their adoption suiting local conditions. Adequate focus has been given on requirement of rainwater harvesting and water conservation measures in Model Building Bye Laws (MBBL), 2016 and Urban and Regional Development Plan Formulation and Implementation (URDPFI) Guidelines, 2014.

Under Surface Minor Irrigation and Repair, Renovation & Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies Scheme of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchaye Yojana (PMKSY) – Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP) component, rejuvenation of water bodies in urban areas are also taken up. Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater- 2020 has been prepared by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) in consultation with States/UTs. The Master Plan envisages construction of about 1.42 crore rain water harvesting and artificial recharge structures in the country to harness 185 Billion Cubic Metre (BCM) of monsoon rainfall. The Master Plan has been circulated to all the States/UTs for implementation.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Bishweswar Tudu in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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AS

(Release ID: 1944407)