GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 819

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2016

WATER CONSERVATION UNDER MGNREGS

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has made any provision for water conservation and harvesting infrastructure under MGNREGS and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the State-wise/UT-wise details of the infrastructure created for water conservation and harvesting during the last three years and current year; and

(c) the State-wise/UT-wise details of the amount allocated, released and spent for the said purpose during the last three years and the current year?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

(SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV)

(a): Yes, Madam. The following works relating to water conservation and harvesting are permitted under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA):

I. Category: A: PUBLIC WORKS RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT –

(i) Water conservation and water harvesting structures to augment and improve groundwater like underground dykes, earthen dams, stop dams, check dams with special focus on recharging ground water including drinking water sources;

(ii) Watershed management works such as contour trenches, terracing, contour bunds, boulder checks, gabion structures and spring shed development resulting in a comprehensive treatment of a watershed;

(iii) Renovation of traditional water bodies including desilting of irrigation tanks and other water bodies; and

(iv) Afforestation, tree plantation and horticulture in common and forest lands, road margins, canal bunds, tank foreshores and coastal belts duly providing right to usufruct to the households.

II. Category B: COMMUNITY ASSETS OR INDIVIDUAL ASSETS FOR VULNERABLE SECTIONS (ONLY FOR HOUSEHOLDS IN PARAGRAPH 5):

(i) Improving productivity of lands of households through land development and by providing suitable infrastructure for irrigation including dug wells, farm ponds and other water harvesting structures.

(b): The State/UT-wise details of the activities relating to Natural Resource Management undertaken under MGNREGS during the last three years and the current year are given in Annexure-I.

(c): The quantum of financial assistance released under MGNREGA is not work/ project wise. Funds for programme implementation are released to the States as per the agreed to Labour Budget, self of projects and demand from the States. State/UT-wise details of amount released under the MGNREGS during the last three years and the current year is indicated in Annexure-II.