Union Government’s Efforts to Conserve and Supply Water

Government of India under the leadership of Narendra Modi is trying various means to conserve and supply water across the country. Our growing population is putting lot of strain on natural resources resulting in water shortages especially during summer season.

Government is trying to use drip irrigation, dew harvesting, use of treated sewage water and various other means to save every drop of water. Here are some measures taken by the union government to conserve and supply water across India.

Use of MGNREGA:

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on reviewed the functioning of official youth organisations, including the NCC, NSS, Bharat Scouts and Guides, Indian Red Cross Society, and NYKS.

Discussing the immediate tasks ahead, where these organisations could play an important role, the Prime Minister said that in the next couple of months, there would be a massive effort under MGNREGA for water conservation and storage mechanisms. He urged these youth organisations to mobilise to the greatest extent possible, to dovetail and contribute to these efforts.

The Prime Minister also called for synergy among various initiatives and programmes organised on National Youth Day on January 12th, so that a more meaningful impact could be achieved. He asked official youth organisations to keep a more active presence on social media, to generate a wider appeal, and better connect with the youth.

Piped drinking water:

Central Consumer Protection Council (CCPC), an apex body to advise the Government in the consumer related issue has expressed concern over quality of drinking water being supplied through pipeline and has recommended mandatory standards for drinking water irrespective of its source.

CCPC बैठक में यह माँग की गई कि किसी भी स्रोत से पेयजल के लिए एक मानक तय किया जाना चाहिए और उसे कड़ाई से पालन किया जाना चाहिए।

— Ram Vilas Paswan (@irvpaswan) April 19, 2016

CCPC बैठक मे देश की राजधानी दिल्ली में आम लोगों को नल से स्वच्छ पानी नहीं मिलने पर चिन्ता व्यक्त की गई।

— Ram Vilas Paswan (@irvpaswan) April 19, 2016

यह पाया गया है कि पानी की बोतल पर MRP सिनेमाघर, होटल आदि में अधिक छपा होता है और बाहर में उसी पान की बोतल पर MRP कम छपा रहता है।

— Ram Vilas Paswan (@irvpaswan) April 19, 2016

At the moment FSSAI has standards only for bottled water. CCPC has said that the FSSAI should formulate standards for water being supply through pipeline also and should monitor its quality.

Support water crisis in Karnataka:

A team of senior officers of the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation led by the Secretary, Mr. Parameswaran Iyer, visited the State of Karnataka and met with State officials to evaluate the water crisis and sanitation situation in the State.

Union Minister @ChBirenderSingh Ji conducted a review meeting on Drought Situation & Drinking Water Supply in state. pic.twitter.com/tjsV9WUgfE

— Min IT, Telangana (@MinIT_Telangana) April 19, 2016

The Secretary assured the senior officials of support from the Centre to combat the drought situation prevalent in parts of the State. A detailed discussion was held around possible drought management techniques and technologies, especially those dealing with water recharge and conservation.

A key highlight of the meeting was a presentation made by a team of water experts from Latur district, who spoke about the "Shirpur Pattern" of watershed work that has been successful in many parts of Maharashtra.

Efforts are being made to replicate and scale this technique, and a pilot of the technique is being planned in North Karnataka to help the drinking water situation in the region.

Uma Bharti calls for water revolution:

Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Miss Uma Bharti has called for water revolution in the country.

Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Uma Bharti says Centre is tackling #drought problem very well.

— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) April 17, 2016

She has directed officials of Central Water Commission and other allied agencies in her Ministry to visit every block of drought affected areas in the country to chalk out a detailed plan to face this challenge. The Minister said we should have this kind of planning for every block of the country to effectively face drought in future.

Miss Bharti also announced that 100 villages dominated by SCs in the country will be selected under Jal Gram Scheme for water conservation. Jal Gram is a schemes under Jal Kranti Abhiyan of Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, in which two water starved villages will be selected from every district in the country for all round development of water resources. The Minister referred to little known contributions of Baba Saheb in water resources sector and announced that from next year her Ministry will celebrate Dr. Ambedkar's birth anniversary as Jal Divas.

Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar is well known as the main architect of India's Constitution and leader of oppressed. However, his contribution in the field of management of India's water resources is not widely known.

Dr. Ambedkar advocated the concept of River Valley Authority or corporation for integrated development of the rivers. He introduced the concept of multi-purpose development of river basin in the country and his efforts in this direction have culminated with multipurpose development of Damodar, Mahanadi and other rivers immediately after independence.