Water being a State subject, the aspects related to water resources including its conservation are studied, planned, funded and executed by the State Governments as per their own resources and priorities. The Central Government supplements the measures and efforts being taken up by the State Governments.

“Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari” (JSJB) initiative was launched in Surat, Gujarat on 6 September, 2024. The JSJB initiative focuses on intensifying community action and mobilization to build low-cost rainwater harvesting structures in low cost and saturation mode. The initiative leverages community funds, individual donations, Corporate Social Responsibility Funds and others for construction of low-cost structures like borewells, recharge shafts, recharge pits, using locally available material, to harvest rainwater, to boost ground water level and provide local tailor-made solution to water issues.

The initiative emphasizes convergent financing from various schemes of the Central, State and local bodies like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Per Drop More Crop, Repair, Renovation and Restoration Components under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY), Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), Finance Commission grants.

To address the challenges faced by States and local bodies in implementing rainwater harvesting systems, particularly in water-stressed regions, the Government of India has adopted a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach. As part of this strategy, Central Ministerial Nodal Officers (CMNOs) from Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and Central Water Commission (CWC) are deployed to provide technical guidance and verify the water conservation structures. Further, State Nodal Officers are also appointed by all the states/ UTs to oversee the implementation of the initiative at state level.

Under National River Conservation Plan (NRCP), financial and technical assistance is provided for abatement of pollution in identified polluted stretches of rivers in the country for other than rivers in Ganga basin and its tributaries. NRCP takes up various pollution abatement works relating to interception & diversion of raw sewage, construction of sewerage systems, setting up of sewage treatment plants, low-cost sanitation, river front/bathing Ghat development. Proposals for pollution abatement works in the towns along polluted river stretches are received from the States/UTs from time to time for consideration under NRCP and sanctioned based on their prioritization, conformity with NRCP guidelines, availability of funds. NRCP has covered 58 rivers in 100 towns spread over 17 States at a total sanctioned cost of Rs 8970.51 crore and sewage treatment capacity of 3019 million litre per day (MLD) has been created.

Under the “River Basin Management (RBM) – Brahmaputra Board”, technical and limited financial assistance are provided to States which includes planning, DPR preparation, surveys, and execution of selected flood management, erosion control, drainage and springshed management works, along with advisory and capacity building support.

Under the Namami Gange Programme, a comprehensive set of interventions such as wastewater treatment, solid waste management, river front management (ghats and crematoria development), e-flow, afforestation, biodiversity conservation and Public Participation are taken up for rejuvenation of river Ganga and its tributaries.

Under Jal Jeevan Mission, the fund sharing pattern between Centre and States/ UTs (Central share: State share) is 100:00 for Union Territories without legislature, 90:10 for North-Eastern & Himalayan States and UTs with legislature, and 50:50 for rest of the States. Further, under Support and Water Quality Monitoring System (WQMS) activities the funding pattern is 100:00 for Union Territories, 90:10 for Himalayan & North-Eastern States and 60:40 for other States.

Under Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) and Repair, Renovation & Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies schemes, the Central Assistance (CA) is provided in the form of grant which is 100% of the project cost for UTs without legislature. Central Assistance is 90% of the project cost for UTs with legislature and 7 North-Eastern states and Sikkim & Hilly States (Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand). Further, Central Assistance/grant under SMI scheme is 60% of project cost for projects benefitting special areas i.e. undivided Koraput, Bolangir and Kalahandi (KBK) districts of Odisha, Bundelkhand region of UP and MP, Marathwada &Vidharbha region of Maharashtra, Left Wing Extremist affected areas, Tribal areas, Flood prone area, DPAP (Drought Prone Area Programme) areas, Desert Development Programme (DDP) area of other States /UTs. Central Assistance under RRR of WBs scheme is 60% of project cost for all other category

Under Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana 2.0 (WDC–PMKSY 2.0) financial assistance is shared in the ratio of 60:40 (Plain States), 90:10 (North-Eastern/Himalayan States) and 100% for UTs along with technical support through guidelines, capacity building and geospatial monitoring.

The criteria used for allocation of funds under various schemes, inter alia, include priority and urgency of works, particularly in flood-prone and erosion-affected areas; requests and proposals received from State Governments; extent of likely benefits, such as protection of life, property, infrastructure and agricultural land; past performance, including progress of ongoing works and submission of Utilization Certificates; and instructions/ directives issued by Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.

The Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) initiative has an incentive plan to recognize contributions in water conservation across categories including top performing States/UTs, districts, Municipal Corporations, ULB, partner ministries/departments, industries, NGOs, philanthropists and nodal officers in conjunction with Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). The incentive quantum, as per the plan, is earmarked for water conservation structures and water conservation awareness activities, including Capacity building of stakeholders, only. Under the Namami Gange Programme, incentives are provided under the Hybrid Annuity Mode for early completion of the project.

Transparency and accountability in fund utilization are ensured through multiple mechanisms, inter alia include, making PFMS mandatory for releasing/utilizing funds; adherence to General Financial Rules (GFR-2017), Online Monitoring System (MIS) for real-time tracking of physical and financial progress; submission of Utilization Certificates and audited accounts as per prescribed norms of Ministry of Finance.

The 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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ND

(Rajya Sabha USQ 3456)

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