Water, being a state subject, the aspects related to water resources including its conservation is planned, funded and executed by the State Governments themselves, as per their own resources and priorities. Role of Government of India is limited to being catalytic, providing technical support and, in some cases partial financial assistance in terms with the existing schemes being implemented by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna (PMKSY) is an umbrella scheme, consisting of two major components being implemented by the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, namely, Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), and Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP). HKKP, in turn, consists of four sub-components: (i) Command Area Development & Water Management (CAD&WM); (ii) Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI); (iii) Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies; and (iv) Ground Water (GW) Development. In 2016, with the launching of revised AIBP format, CAD&WM sub-component of HKKP has been taken up for pari passu implementation with AIBP. Further, in December, 2021, implementation of PMKSY for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26 has been approved by Government of India. However, approval of Ground Water component under PMKSY-HKKP has provisionally been accorded till 2021-22 only for committed liabilities, which has been extended subsequently till completion of ongoing works.

Also, Per Drop More Crop component, which was earlier a component of PMKSY, is now being implemented separately by Department of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare (DoA&FW) under Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yojna (RKVY). In addition, Watershed Development Component (WDC) is being implemented by Department of Land Resources (DoLR).

AIBP component focuses on completion of major and medium and Extension, Renovation and Modernisation (ERM) projects for creation of new irrigation potential/restoration of irrigation potential in the country. CAD&WM is dedicated to command area development for bridging gap between irrigation potential created and its utilization and improving on-farm water use efficiency to reduce wastage. HKKP-SMI and RRR deal with minor irrigation projects for enhancement of physical access of water on the farm and expansion of cultivable area under assured irrigation. PDMC deals with adoption of precision-irrigation such as Drip and sprinkler and other water saving technologies. WDC works toward integrated development of rainfed areas towards soil and water conservation, regeneration of ground water, arresting runoff and promoting extension activities relating to water harvesting, water management and crop alignment for farmers etc.

Besides PMKSY, some of the important initiatives taken by Government of India are as follows.

1. Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has completed the National Aquifer Mapping (NAQUIM) Project in the entire map able area of about 25 Lakh square kilo meter in the country. The Aquifer maps and management plans have been prepared and shared with the respective State agencies for implementation. The management plans include various water conservation measures through recharge structures.
2. CGWB has prepared a Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater- 2020 in consultation with States/UTs which is a macro level plan indicating various structures for the different terrain conditions of the country. 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 for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater- 2020 circulated to all the States/UTs.
3. Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA), a time-bound mission mode water conservation campaign, was launched by the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) in the July - November 2019. Ministry of Jal Shakti started the “Catch The Rain” (CTR) campaign in February 2020 and in 2021 took up the “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain” (JSA: CTR) subsuming Catch the Rain campaign which covered rural and urban areas of all districts (all blocks and municipalities) of the country. JSA: CTR campaign has five focused interventions which inter-alia includes rainwater harvesting & water conservation including revival of water bodies. JSA: CTR has become an annual feature since 2021.
4. Mission Amrit Sarovar was launched by Hon'ble Prime Minister on April 24th 2022, to construct or rejuvenate 75 Amrit Sarovars in every rural district (except Delhi, Chandigarh and Lakshadweep).
5. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has undertaken several initiatives for the sustainable management of water in urban areas through the implementation of national missions such as the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and AMRUT 2.0.
6. National Water Policy (2012) has been formulated by Department of Water Resources, RD & GR, 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.

 

Two (2) projects namely Kandi Canal Extension Project Phase II and Rehabilitation of 1^st Patiala Feeder and Kotla Branch Project have been completed in Punjab under PMKSY-AIBP with irrigation potential creation/restoration of 1.15 lakh hectare through canals. Three other projects namely Shahpur Kandi Dam Project, Relining of Rajasthan Feeder and Relining of Sirhind Feeder are ongoing in the State of Punjab. 1.43 lakh hectare irrigation potential through canals has been restored through these projects.

Further, out of four projects of Uttar Pradesh included under PMKSY-AIBP, Madhya Ganga canal phase-II is benefitting the referred region of western Uttar Pradesh. 1.10 lakh hectare irrigation potential through canals has been reported as created through this project in Uttar Pradesh.

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI, SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

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DHANYA SANAL K

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