Executive Summary:
This document provides an answer to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 168 regarding Over-exploited, Critical, and Semi-critical (OCS) districts under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA), specifically addressing funds allocated and utilized, projects planned and completed, and any delays in project completion, with a focus on Punjab. The answer was presented on July 31, 2025. The Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR) campaign is a nationwide initiative implemented annually.
Key Points / Main Content:
Funds Allocated and Utilized (2021-2025):
* Nationally, Rs 118,080.42 crore was utilized under JSA, including funds for water conservation, rainwater harvesting, renovation of traditional water bodies, reuse and recharge structures, watershed development, and afforestation.
* In Punjab, Rs 1,186.06 crore was utilized under JSA, including expenditure on water conservation, rainwater harvesting, renovation of traditional water bodies, reuse and recharge structures, watershed development, and afforestation.
* Punjab received Rs 25 lakh for GIS mapping of water bodies and district water conservation plans under JSA: CTR during 2021-2024.
OCS Districts Identified in Punjab (2025):
* JSA:CTR 2025 focuses on 148 districts identified by CGWB, based on declining water table, geographical distribution and aspirational districts.
* Punjab has 20 focused districts for the JSA:CTR 2025 campaign: Amritsar, Barnala, Bathinda, Faridkot, Fatehgarg Sahib, Ferozpur, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Malerkotla, Mansa, Moga, Patiala, Mohali, Nawanshahr, Sangrur, Tarn Taran which are overexploited, and Ropar which is critical.
Proposed and Completed Projects/Plans:
* Central Government supplements the efforts of the States/UTs through technical and financial support.
* More than 1.87 crore water-related works have been undertaken across the country under the JSA:CTR campaign.
* 712 Jal Shakti Kendras (JSKs) have been established nationwide, and district water conservation plans have been prepared by 637 districts across the country.
* Approximately 1.09 lakh water related works have been undertaken over the past five years under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan in Punjab.
* Jal Shakti Kendras (JSKs) have been established in all 23 districts of Punjab, and all 23 districts have prepared water conservation plans.
Monitoring and Delays:
* The works under the JSA: CTR campaign are monitored as per the data uploaded in the MIS portal.
* Central Nodal Officers (CNOs) are appointed in each of the 148 identified water-stressed districts to conduct visits and assess progress.
* State Governments are encouraged to undertake as many works as possible under JSA: CTR.
Impact Analysis:
State Governments:
* Impact: Primarily responsible for augmentation, conservation, and efficient management of water resources. Receive technical and financial assistance from the Central Government through various schemes. Encouraged to undertake water-related works under JSA: CTR.
* Action Required: Implement water resource management strategies, utilize funds effectively, upload data to the MIS portal, and participate in the JSA: CTR campaign.
Central Government:
* Impact: Provides technical and financial assistance to State Governments, monitors progress of JSA: CTR, and appoints Central Nodal Officers.
* Action Required: Continue providing support to states, monitor project implementation, and ensure effective coordination.
District Authorities:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing water conservation plans, establishing Jal Shakti Kendras, and undertaking water-related works.
* Action Required: Prepare and implement water conservation plans, establish and maintain JSKs, and ensure data is uploaded to the MIS portal.
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB):
* Impact: Identifies water-stressed districts for focused monitoring under JSA: CTR.
* Action Required: Continue to identify and monitor water-stressed districts based on declining water tables and other relevant factors.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: A ministry of the Government of India, responsible for water resources.
Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA): A nationwide initiative focusing on water conservation, rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge.
Punjab: A state in India, specifically mentioned in the context of JSA implementation.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was addressed.
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS): An Indian job guarantee scheme aimed at enhancing livelihood security in rural areas.
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT): An initiative for establishing infrastructure that could ensure robust sewage networks and water supply for urban transformation.
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY): A scheme to improve water use efficiency and increase agricultural production.
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB): A central agency responsible for providing scientific and technical inputs regarding ground water resources.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. *168
ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025
OCS DISTRICTS UNDER JSA
*168. SMT. HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the funds allocated and utilised by various States, especially Punjab under the Jal Shakti
Abhiyan (JSA) since its inception;
(b) the details of Over-exploited, Critical and Semi-critical (OCS) districts identified in Punjab under JSA
during 2025;
(c) the details of proposed and completed projects/plans for these OCS districts in Punjab under JSA;
(d) whether the Government is cognizant of delays in the completion of projects, if any; and
(e) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken/likely to be taken by the Government in this regard?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI C R PAATIL)
(a) to (e) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
1STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF STARRED QUESTION NO.
*168 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025 IN LOK SABHA REGARDING “OCS DISTRICTS
UNDER JSA”
(a) '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.
The Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR) campaign is a nationwide initiative
implemented annually, focusing on water conservation, rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge.
The campaign 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 etc.
As per the information available on the JSA:CTR portal, during 2021-2025, a total fund of Rs
118080.42 crore was utilised under Jal Shakti Abhiyan across the country, including Rs 43408.77 crore
for Water Conservation & Rainwater Harvesting, 19725.95 crore for Renovation of Traditional Water
Bodies, Rs 1992.56 crore for Reuse and Recharge structures, Rs 38016.79 crore for Watershed
Development activities and Rs 14936.35 crore for Intensive Afforestation.
As per the the information available on the JSA: CTR portal for Punjab, a total of Rs 1,186.06 crore
was utilized under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan during the period 2021-2025. The expenditure includes Rs
85.02 crore for Water Conservation and Rainwater Harvesting, Rs 417.96 crore for the Renovation of
Traditional Water Bodies, ₹7.19 crore for Reuse and Recharge Structures, Rs 337.49 crore for Watershed
Development activities, and Rs 338.40 crore for Intensive Afforestation.
Apart from above, financial assistance of total Rs. 25 lakh was released to Punjab for Geographic
Information System (GIS) mapping of water bodies and preparation of district water conservation plans
under JSA: CTR during 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24.
(b) Ministry of Jal Shakti launched JSA:CTR 2025 across the country with the theme “Jal Sanchay Jan
Bhagidari: Jan Jagrukta Ki Or” with special focus on 148 districts identified by CGWB identified on the
basis of declining water table, geographical distribution and aspirational districts. The list of 20 focused
districts of Punjab for JSA:CTR 2025 campaign is attached at Annexure.
(c) Water is a State subject and the Central Government supplements the efforts of the States/UTs through
technical and financial support. The sixth edition of JSA: CTR was launched on 22nd March 2025 with
2the theme “Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari: Jan Jagrukta Ki Or” emphasizing deeper grassroots engagement,
inter-sectoral convergence and innovative financing mechanisms. Under JSA:CTR-2025, the Central
Ground Water Board (CGWB) identified 148 water-stressed districts for focused monitoring. Central
Nodal Officers (CNOs) were appointed in each district to conduct visits both before and after the
monsoon. These officers are responsible for assessing the progress of interventions of Jal Shakti Abhiyan.
(d) & (e) Water is a State subject and the Central Government supplements the efforts of the States/UTs
through technical and financial support. Under JSA: CTR campaign, the State Governments are
encouraged to undertake as many works as possible. The works under the campaign are monitored as per
the data uploaded in the MIS portal.
As per the information available on the JSA: CTR portal (jsactr.mowr.gov.in), as of 26th July 2025,
more than 1.87 crore water-related works have been undertaken across the country under the JSA:CTR
campaign. Additionally, 712 Jal Shakti Kendras (JSKs) have been established nationwide, and district
water conservation plans have been prepared by 637 districts across the country.
As per the information available on the JSA: CTR portal for Punjab, approximately 1.09 lakh water-
related works have been undertaken over the past five years under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, focusing on
five key intervention areas. Jal Shakti Kendras (JSKs) have been established in all 23 districts of the state.
Additionally, under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR) campaign, all 23 districts in
Punjab have prepared their respective water conservation plans.
***
3ANNEXURE
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF LOK SABHA STARRED
QUESTION NO. *168 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025 REGARDING “OCS DISTRICTS
UNDER JSA”
Sl. No. Name of Focus Districts in Punjab Category
1 Amritsar Over-Exploited
2 Barnala Over-Exploited
3 Bathinda Over-Exploited
4 Faridkot Over-Exploited
5 Fatehgarg Sahib Over-Exploited
6 Ferozpur Over-Exploited
7 Gurdaspur Over-Exploited
8 Hoshiarpur Over-Exploited
9 Jalandhar Over-Exploited
10 Kapurthala Over-Exploited
11 Ludhiana Over-Exploited
12 Malerkotla Over-Exploited
13 Mansa Over-Exploited
14 Moga Over-Exploited
15 Patiala Over-Exploited
16 Mohali Over-Exploited
17 Nawanshahr Over-Exploited
18 Sangrur Over-Exploited
19 Tarn Taran Over-Exploited
20 Ropar Critical
*****
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