(a) the policy formulated by the Government for installing tube
wells and groundwater exploration and exploitation including
protection and preservation of ground water resources;
(b) the details of policy being implemented in Assam in this
regard; and
(c) the funds provided to Government of Assam under the flood
management during the last five years, year-wise?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIES, PUBLIC ENTERPRISES AND WATER RESOURCES (SHRI SONTOSH MOHAN DEV)
(a) ‘Water’ being a State subject, it is primarily the
responsibility of the concerned State Governments to formulate
plans for installation of tube wells, groundwater exploration
and exploitation including protection and preservation of ground
water resources. However, the Government of India had adopted
National Water Policy in the year 1987 for guiding the
formulation of policies and programmes for water resources
development and management. The policy has been revised and
adopted in the year 2002. This policy is for implementation in
the whole country including in the State of Assam. The
provisions made in the policy relating various aspects of ground
water are outlined below:-
(i) There should be a periodical reassessment of the ground
water potential on a scientific basis, taking into consideration
the quality of the water available and economic viability of its
extraction.
(ii) Exploitation of ground water resources should be so
regulated as not to exceed the recharging possibilities, as also
to ensure social equity. The detrimental environmental
consequences of over-exploitation of ground water need to be
effectively prevented by the Central and State Governments.
Ground water recharge projects should be developed and
implemented for improving both the quality and availability of
ground water resource.
(iii) Integrated and coordinated development of surface
water and ground water resources and their conjunctive use,
should be envisaged right from the project planning stage and
should form an integral part of the project implementation.
(iv) Over exploitation of ground water should be avoided
especially near the coast to prevent ingress of seawater into
sweet water aquifers.
(b) No separate State Water Policy has been formulated by the
Government of Assam so far.
(c) Funds to the Government of Assam are being released by the
Ministry of Water Resources under Critical Flood Control
Scheme in Brahmaputra Board and Barak Valley. This scheme
was approved in November, 2004 for Rs. 150 crore as the
share of the Central Government (90% grant and 10% loan).
This scheme will be executed by the concerned State
Governments. The funds so far released under this scheme to
the State of Assam is as follows:-
Year Funds released (Rs. in crore)
2004-05 9.30 2005-06 11.268
In addition to the above, the Planning Commission has also provided funds for Flood Control to the Government of Assam, year-wise detail of which is as follows:-
Year 2002- 2003- 2004- 2005- 2003 2004 2005 2006
Funds Released 1.50 23.60 25.00 27.00 (Rs. in crore)