Executive Summary:
This document addresses growing water scarcity in rural and drought-prone regions of India. It outlines steps taken by the government to recharge groundwater levels and ensure sustainable water resource use, including plans for rainwater harvesting and watershed management. The report also details funds allocated and utilized in Gujarat under the Jal Jeevan Mission and Atal Bhujal Yojana during the financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Water Scarcity Assessment:**
* Water availability is impacted by hydro-meteorological and geological factors, leading to water stress.
* Groundwater resources are assessed annually by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and State Governments.
* As of 2024, 751 assessment units are categorized as over-exploited, 206 as critical, 711 as semi-critical, 127 as saline, and 4951 as safe.
* **Government Initiatives:**
* Water management is primarily undertaken by State Governments.
* The Central Government supplements State efforts through schemes and programs.
* Initiatives include Atal Bhujal Yojana, Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR), Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichai Yojna (PMKSY), Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), Repair, Renovation & Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies, Interlinking of Rivers (ILR), National Aquifer Mapping (NAQUIM) Project, and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0.
* **Financial Allocations for Gujarat:**
* Under the Atal Bhujal Yojana, Rs. 368.92 crore was released to Gujarat during FY 2023-24 and 2024-25, with Rs. 367.86 crore utilized.
* Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) funds allocated and utilized in Gujarat:
* 2023-24: Allocation Rs. 2982.85 crore, Utilized Rs. 2377.83 crore.
* 2024-25: Allocation Rs. 2420.14 crore, Utilized Rs. 881.84 crore.
Impact Analysis:
State Governments:
* Impact: Responsible for the augmentation, conservation, and efficient management of water resources.
* Action Required: Implement and manage water resource schemes, collaborate with the Central Government, and utilize allocated funds effectively.
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB):
* Impact: Plays a key role in the assessment of ground water levels in conjunction with State Governments.
* Action Required: Conduct annual groundwater assessments and provide data for policy implementation.
Citizens in Rural and Drought-Prone Regions:
* Impact: Directly affected by water scarcity and benefit from improved water resource management.
* Action Required: Participate in water conservation efforts and utilize available resources sustainably.
Key Entities Referenced
Jal Shakti: The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, the nodal ministry for water resources and management.
Gujarat: A state in India, specifically mentioned in the context of funds allocated and utilized under the Jal Jeevan Mission and Atal Bhujal Yojana.
Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM): A government initiative aimed at providing safe and adequate drinking water to all rural households by 2024.
Atal Bhujal Yojana: A scheme for improving groundwater management through community participation in select water-stressed areas.
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB): The central agency responsible for providing scientific and technical inputs for management, exploration, monitoring and regulation of ground water resources of the country.
Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR): A campaign to promote water conservation and rainwater harvesting.
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichai Yojna (PMKSY): A scheme to enhance water efficiency, promote water conservation and improve agricultural productivity.
National Aquifer Mapping (NAQUIM) Project: A project for mapping aquifers to understand and manage groundwater resources.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 908
ANSWERED ON 24.07.2025
WATER SCARCITY IN RURAL AND DROUGHT-PRONE REGIONS
908. SMT. GENIBEN NAGAJI THAKOR
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the growing water scarcity in various States especially in rural and
drought-prone regions and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the steps taken by the Government to recharge groundwater levels and ensure sustainable use of water
resources;
(c) whether there is any plan to promote rainwater harvesting and watershed management in urban and
rural areas and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the details of funds allocated and utilized in Gujarat under the Jal Jeevan Mission and Atal Bhujal
Yojana during the last two years?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) to (c) The average annual water availability of any region or country is largely dependent upon hydro-
meteorological and geological factors. Due to high temporal and spatial variation of precipitation in a
region, the water availability may result in water stress conditions.
The Dynamic Ground Water Resources of the country including rural and drought-prone regions are
assessed every year from 2022 jointly by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and State Governments.
These annual assessments of groundwater resources are carried out to analyze trends in groundwater
recharge and extraction. As per the report of “National Compilation of Dynamic Ground Water Resources
of India, 2024”, Out of the total 6746 assessment units (Blocks/Taluks/Mandals) in the country,
751(11.13%) assessment units have been categorized as ‘Over exploited’; 206 (3.05 %) assessment units
as ‘Critical’; 711 (10.54 %) as “Semi-critical’’ units; 127 (1.88 %) assessment units as “saline and 4951
(73.39 %) units are categorized as “safe” blocks.”.
‘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.
1The Government of India has taken various schemes and programmes like Atal Bhujal Yojana, Jal
Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR), Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichai Yojna (PMKSY) - Accelerated
Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), Repair, Renovation & Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies,
Interlinking of Rivers (ILR), National Aquifer Mapping (NAQUIM) Project, Atal Mission for
Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT 2.0) etc. for water conservation, sustainable water
management and improving the groundwater level across the country.
(d) An amount of Rs.368.92 crore has been released to the State of Gujarat under the Atal Bhujal Yojana
during the financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25, out of which Rs. 367.86 crore has been utilized by the
State.
The funds allocated and utilized in Gujarat under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) during last two years are
as under:
(Amount in Rs crore)
Year Central
Opening Allocation Funds Available Reported
Balance Drawn Funds utilization
2023-24 1088.66 2982.85 2237.14 3325.80 2377.83
2024-25 947.97 2420.14 59.00 1006.97 881.84
Source: JJM-IMIS As on 21.07.2025
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