The average annual water availability of any region or country is largely dependent upon hydro-meteorological and geological factors, however, water availability per person is dependent on population of a country. The per capita water availability in the country is reducing due to increase in population. Also due to high temporal and spatial variation of precipitation, the water availability of many regions of the country is much below the national average and may result in water stress / scarce conditions.

Water being a State subject, steps for augmentation, conservation and efficient management of water resources 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.

Government of India is implementing Command Area Development and Water Management (CADWM) Programme which was brought under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) - Har Khet Ko Pani 2015-16 onwards. The main objectives of CADWM program are: (a) utilize irrigation potential created (IPC) under the project soon after its creation; (b) improve water use efficiency; (c) increase agricultural productivity and production; and (d) bring sustainability in the irrigated agriculture in a participatory environment.

Under CADWM Scheme operated by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, financial assistance is given to the States for creation of Micro irrigation infrastructure in the canal irrigated commands with an aim to improve water use efficiency and promote micro-irrigation.  It  is provisioned in the CADWM scheme that micro-irrigation shall cover at least 10% of the targeted CCA of the Project. Central Assistance @ 50% are being provided with a cost norm of Rs.50,000 per hectare for development of micro irrigation infrastructure covering construction of sump, installation of water pump, and laying of piped conveyance system up to the field head.

Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare is implementing Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana - Per Drop More Crop (PMKSY-PDMC) which focuses on water use efficiency at farm level through precision/micro irrigation (Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation System) for promotion of better on-farm water management practices to optimize the use of available water resources. This component also supports micro level water storage or water conservation/management activities to supplement Micro Irrigation.

In order to check groundwater exploitation and create awareness among the citizens of the country, National Water Mission (NWM) has taken up campaigns like ‘Sahi Fasal’ Campaign, to nudge farmers in the water stressed areas to grow crops which are not water intensive, but use water very efficiently and ‘Catch the Rain’ Campaign with a tagline “Catch the Rain – when it falls, where it falls”, to nudge all stakeholders to create Rain Water Harvesting Structures (RWHS) suitable to the climatic conditions and sub-soil strata to catch the rains with the peoples' active participation. Under Sahi Fasal, series of meetings with farmers have been organized in Amritsar, Aurangabad (Maharashtra) and Kurukshetra and also with technical experts in New Delhi.

NWM has also been conducting awareness generation activities like ‘Water Talk’, a monthly lecture series, to deliberate on various issues concerning water sector including ground water exploitation by inviting leading water experts to present inspiring and informative perspectives on current water issues in the country. ‘Water Talk’ aims to stimulate awareness, (thinking), build capacities of stakeholders and encourage people to become active participants sustain life by saving water on earth. 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti & Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Rattan Lal Kataria in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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