Water being a State subject, Water Resources Projects are planned, funded, executed and maintained by the concerned State Governments as per their own resources and priority However, mitigation of drought is a continuous effort of State and Central Governments.

During 2016-17, ninety-nine (99) on-going Major/Medium irrigation projects under PMKSY-AIBP, having ultimate irrigation potential of 76.03 lakh hectare and balance estimated cost of Rs.77,595 crore, have been prioritized in consultation with States for completion in phases. For PMKSY-AIBP Projects, the Government of India provides Central Assistance with higher funding ratio to projects situated in drought prone areas. Out of 99 projects and 7 phases of PMKSY-AIBP, 59 projects benefit Drought Prone Areas (DPAP), whose ultimate Irrigation Potential is 47.03 Lakh Ha. Out of this 26.56 Lakh Ha had been created up to 31.03.2016. During 2016-2021, an additional potential of 13.37 Lakh Ha has been created through these projects. 24 of these project have been reported to be completed so far.

Government of India in partnership with States is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal, which aims at providing potable water in adequate quantity and prescribed quality, on regular and  long-term  basis  to  every rural household. Under JJM, provisions have been made for drinking water

source development/ strengthening/ augmentation, along with creation of infrastructure for bulk transfer of water, treatment and distribution systems in water deficit drought-prone and desert areas, which are without dependable ground water sources. It is also aimed at creation of in-village water supply infrastructure.

Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India, is implementing Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely, Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY). As per information received from the States/ UTs, from 2015-16 to 2021-22, 6.50 lakh water harvesting structures have been created/ rejuvenated. 

  Water being a State subject, ground water management, including prevention of over-exploitation of aquifers is the responsibility of State Governments. However, various measures have been taken by the Central Government for sustainable ground water management, including prevention of aquifer over exploitation. Ministry of Jal Shakti, Govt of India has circulated a Model Bill to all the States/UTs to enable them to enact suitable ground water legislation for the regulation of its development, which also includes the provision of rain water harvesting. So far, 19 States/UTs have adopted and implemented the ground water legislation. Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has been constituted for the purpose of regulation and control of ground water development and management in the Country. CGWA has issued guidelines to regulate and control the extraction of ground water in India. CGWA has also advised States/UTs to take measures to promote/adopt artificial recharge of ground water / rain water harvesting. National Water Policy (2012) advocates the need to arrest declining ground water levels in over-exploited areas by introducing improved technologies of water use, incentivizing efficient water use and encouraging community-based management of aquifers. The national water policy has been circulated to state agencies 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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