RS. 150 CRORE EARMARKED FOR RECHARGE OF GROUND WATER SCHEME IN
PANCHAYATS DURING 10TH FIVE YEAR PLAN
A
CONTINGENCY PLAN OF THE WATER RESOURCES MINISTRY HAS BEEN PREPARED
TO TACKLE DROUGHT SITUATION
The
Consultative Committee of Water Resources Ministry met today to
discuss overall view of the Ground water situation in the country
and steps taken to tackle the drought problems. At the very outset,
a presentation was made by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)
depicting the need to conserve water. The Minister of Water Resources,
Shri Arjun Charan Sethi informed the members of the Consultative
Committee that the Government is already geared up to face drought
situation prevailing in 12 states of the country by deploying
91 rigs. 50 teams have been kept ready so that any requirement
from the State Governments can be met immediately. The Ministry
has already offered more than 3000 wells to State Governments,
who can operationalise and utilise them to meet emergent water
requirements. About 900 more wells are ready to be offered to
the State Governments very soon.
Members
of the Consultative Committee while appreciating good work done
by the Ministry of Water Resources laid stress on the need for
people’s participation under Panchayati Raj Institution in various
programmes like Conservation of water and Recharge of ground water
and steps taken to curb over exploitation of ground water. They
shared the concern about sharp duplition of ground water level
in the country and need for having a legislation for efficient
use of ground water including improving the quality of water.
They expressed the need for having concern over saline ingress
in coastal areas and surface water being polluted by industries.
Regarding involvement of Panchayati Raj Institutions, the Ministry
has already proposed a scheme of Recharge to Ground Water with
a provision of Rs. 150 crore during 10th Plan Period.
A
Model Bill for efficient use of Ground water has also been circulated
to the State Governments/Union Territories for adoption. Shri
Sethi stressed the need for making a co-ordinated effort by the
State Governments and various Ministries of the Central Government
to face the drought situation prevailing in some parts of the
country.
The
Meeting of the Consultative Committee of Water Resources Ministry
was held under the chairmanship of Shri Arjun Charan Sethi where
Minister of State for Water Resources, Smt. Bijoya Chakravarty
was present. Following Members of the Parliament, S/Shri Mani
Shankar Aiyar, Bikram Keshari Deo, N.R.K.Reddy, Kanti Lal Bhuria,
Abul Hasnat Khan, A. Krishnaswamy, H. K. Javare Gowda and Smt.
Sushree Devi participated in the meeting.
