As reported by States/ UTs, as on 05.12.2022, out of 16.97 lakh rural habitations in the country, 13.07 lakh [77%] have provision of potable drinking water with more than 40 litre per capita per day (lpcd) and 3.64 lakh [21.5%] rural habitations with less than 40 lpcd with sources at a reasonable distance. Further, 0.26 lakh [1.5%] rural habitations are reported to have water quality issues in drinking water sources.
Dynamic Ground Water Resources of the country are being periodically assessed jointly by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and State Governments. As per 2022 assessment, out of the total 7089 assessment units (Blocks/Taluks/ Mandals/ watersheds/ Firkas) in the country, 1006 units (14%) in 16 States/UTs have been categorized as ‘Over-exploited’ where the Annual Ground Water Extraction is more than Annual Extractable Ground Water Resource.
The details of number of districts having assessment units falling under ‘Over- exploited’ categories as per the 2022 assessment are given in the annexed.
Since August 2019, Government of India in partnership with States, is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal to make provision of potable tap water to every rural household, by 2024.
At the time of announcement of Jal Jeevan Mission, 3.23 Crore (17%) households were reported to have tap water connections. So far, around 7.43 Crore (38%) rural households have been provided with tap water connections in last 3 years. Thus, as on 05.12.2022, out of 19.36 Crore rural households in the country, around 10.66 Crore (55%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes.
Under JJM, provisions have been made for drinking water source development/ strengthening/ augmentation; and infrastructure for bulk transfer of water, treatment and distribution systems in water deficit drought-prone and desert areas without dependable ground water sources, apart from creation of in-village water supply infrastructure.
In addition, provisions for taking up augmentation and strengthening of local drinking water sources in convergence with other schemes at village level viz. MGNREGS, 15th Finance Commission tied grants to Rural Local Bodies (RLBs), Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), State schemes, District Mineral Development Fund, CSR funds, community contribution, etc. have also been envisaged under the JJM.
Further, Central Government works in close collaboration with States/UTs through various initiatives/schemes like Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA), Atal Bhujal Yojana, MGNREGA, PMKSY-Watershed development etc to supplement the efforts of States/UTs for sustainable management of groundwater. The JSA was launched in 2019 with the primary aim to effectively harvest the monsoon rainfall through creation of artificial recharge structures, watershed management, recharge and reuse structures, intensive afforestation and awareness generation etc. The JSA has continued during 2021 and 2022 which were launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister and Hon’ble President of India respectively. Also, Hon’ble Prime Minister launched Amrit Sarovar Mission on 24th April 2022. The Mission is aimed at developing and rejuvenating 75 water bodies in each district of the country as a part of celebration of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
The details of steps taken by Central Government can be accessed at web link:
This Information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
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Details of the number of assessment units under ‘Over-Exploited’ categories in the country
