Parliament Question: PMKSY in Tamil Nadu

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1947 ANSWERED ON 11.12.2025 PMKSY IN TAMIL NADU 1947. THIRU D M KATHIR ANAND: DR. T SUMATHY ALIAS THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN: Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has sanctioned any funds under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), to rejuvenate water bodies and tanks to improve water storage, mitigate floods and enhance irrigation potential in Tamil Nadu, if so, the details thereof along with the funds allocated for the same during the last five years; (b) whether any funds are being allocated to Tamil Nadu especially in Vellore Parliamentary Constituency to run network of water quality testing laboratory services and for the provision of Field Water Testing kit to ensure water safety to the public, if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has undertaken any Hydro-geological projects to enhance the sustainability of sources in Tamil Nadu, if so, the details thereof; and (d) whether the Government has any funds for the preparation of block-wise groundwater atlas, groundwater exploration and recharge study for the safe exploration of water resources besides R&D activities in Tamil Nadu, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY) (a) Yes, under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana – Har Khet Ko Pani (PMKSY-HKKP), the Government of India provided Central Assistance to the States, including Tamil Nadu, for the Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies with the objective of improving water storage capacity and enhancing irrigation potential. A total of nine clusters comprising 645 water bodies in Tamil Nadu were approved for central funding under PMKSY-HKKP. Central Assistance amounting to Rs. 156.19 crore has been released to the Government of Tamil Nadu up to 31st March 2025. Additionally, a Mother Sanction of Rs. 41.91 crore has been issued during the current financial year for the rejuvenation of water bodies under PMKSY-HKKP. (b) As per the operational guidelines of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), States and Union Territories may utilize up to 2% of their annual allocation under the scheme for Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance (WQM&S) activities. This includes the operation of water quality testing laboratory services and the provision of Field Water Testing Kits to ensure safe drinking water for the public. 1The Government of Tamil Nadu has informed that an amount of Rs. 39.85 crore has been allocated under the JJM for Tamil Nadu during the year 2024–25, out of which Rs. 56.60 lakh has been sanctioned for Water Quality Testing Laboratory services in Vellore District. Further, an amount of Rs. 4.55 lakh has been sanctioned for the procurement of Field Water Testing Kits (FTKs) and for providing FTK training to Village Water Sanitation Committee (VWSC) members in each Village Panchayat (c) & (d) The Government of India has undertaken several hydro-geological studies and interventions in Tamil Nadu through Central agencies to enhance the sustainability of water sources. Some important steps being implemented by the Government of India for sustainability of sources in Tamil Nadu are as follows: The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), had sanctioned the project on "Groundwater Prospects Mapping (Hydro-Geomorphological Maps)" for Tamil Nadu at a cost of Rs.198.92 lakhs to Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board (TWAD Board). As per the NRSC guidelines, initially Toposheet wise (220 Nos.) Ground Water Prospects Maps have been prepared & completed on 1:50,000 Scale during 2012. For the easy reference in the field, block wise HGM maps have been generated and handed over to all RWS Divisions & Circle Office of TWAD Board, Rural Development Department, Municipal Administration, Town Panchayats, Agricultural Engineering Department, Water Resource Department, Central Ground Water Board and to all the District Collectors. Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), had sanctioned the "Groundwater Prospects Mapping (HGM Maps)" for Tamil Nadu in which Block-wise maps have been created. With the help of the HGM Atlas map different recharge structures such as Check dam, Percolation Ponds and Recharge Shafts have been created for the sustainability of sources. Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has also completed the National Aquifer Mapping (NAQUIM) Project in the entire mappable area of about 25 Lakh sq. km of the country including 1,05,742 sq. km area in Tamil Nadu. The Aquifer maps and management plans have been prepared and shared with the respective State agencies including Tamil Nadu for implementation. 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 including Tamil Nadu. The Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater- 2020 circulated to all the States/UTs including Tamil Nadu and is being implemented in one district in each state through convergence with state schemes. As per the Master Plan, in Tamil Nadu, about 88,000 artificial water harvesting structures and roof top rain water harvesting have been envisaged to augment 959 million Cubic Metre of surplus water. Further, CGWB is implementing the Ground Water Management & Regulation (GWMR) Scheme, a Central Sector Scheme. Under this Scheme, activities relating to exploration, monitoring, assessment and management of groundwater resources including preparation of aquifer maps, groundwater exploration and recharge studies are undertaken across the country, including State of Tamil Nadu. The expenditure for all these activities is met from within the overall allocations of the GWMR Scheme. ***** 2