Plantation of trees along Ganga river
The Government has planned to plant trees all along the Ganga covering 5 basin states namely; Uttrakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal under the “Namami Gange” programme. Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun has submitted a DPR on Forestry Interventions for Ganga (FIG) to this ministry in two volumes. The Volume-I deals with the main DPR while the Volume II contains State Summaries/DPRs in the context of five participating states located along the Ganga River course.The DPR on FIG aims to contribute towards clean Ganga, particularly Anant Van and Aviral Dhara besides maintenance of ecological and geological integrities of the Riverscape. The interventions seek improved forest cover, enhanced forest diversity and productivity, biodiversity conservation and sustainable land and ecosystem management for the better flow of ecosystem services, sustainable livelihood and overall conservation of Ganga Riverscape.
FRI has designed 40 models out of which 32 are meant for natural, 3 for agriculture and 5 for urban landscapes plantations. Local Indigenous species including Medicinal plants, Grass, Shrubs and Trees will be planted through the proposed model. In Uttrakhand, plantation of plants of medicinal values is proposed. In rest of the four basin states, Plantation plan designed according to the site characteristics, potential species for plantation, specific activity and geo-spatially mapped sites.
The draft DPR has projected a financial outlay of Rs. 2,293.73 Crore and a 5-year implementation. Out of this, nearly 90% budget allocation has been provided for the major Component (A) i. e., on implementation of forestry interventions in five states of river scape at a total cost of Rs. 2,064.03 Crore. The Draft DPR has recommended that the implementation of FIG be in two Phases:(i) the Phase I including the Project Development Phase of 12 months (2015-16) and the Project Implementation Phase of 5 years (2016-21), and (ii) Phase II (2021-26) for upscaling and replication in additional sites based on lessons learned in implementation of Phase I.
This information was given by Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Joint Venture for first Auto Shredding Plant in India
Joint Venture for first Auto Shredding Plant in India for Recycling of Specialised Steels and other non-ferrous metals conceptualized between MSTC and Mahindra
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Mahindra Intertrade Ltd and MSTC Limited, a PSU under the Ministry of Steel, for setting up a Joint Venture Company for establishing first of its kind Auto Shredding Plant in India in New Delhi today.The Minister of Steel and Mines, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar chaired the programme in the presence of Secretary Steel, Smt. Aruna Sundararajan. Shri Tomar remarked that the Joint Venture will contribute to Make in India drive of the government. He appreciated the fact that the enterprise would support Clean India by waste utilization and also bring down imports of scrap resulting in foreign exchange savings. Such initiatives are need of the hour for a stronger and better India and would help the development of steel industry also, he added.
Member of Group Executive Board of Mahindra & Mahindra, Shri Zhooben Bhiwandiwala, Managing Director of Mahindra Intertrade, Shri Sumit Issar and Chairman and Managing Director MSTC Limited, Shri Shailendra Krishna Tripathi and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. A presentation on Auto Shredding Plant was made by MSTC, which highlighted the need and workability of such plants in Indian context. The Minister of Steel and Mines appreciated the scheme and desired that it should be made workable in the shortest possible time.
The setting up of a Shredding Plant in India will reduce the dependency on import of Shredded Scrap which will help save precious foreign exchange as well as it will be helpful for the secondary steel sector. Apart from this, the shredding of automobiles and other scrap will facilitate & promote recycling, reduce pollution and make Indian roads safe for driving. Recycling will also make Indian Steel more competitive vis-a-vis imported steels.
The Secretary Steel Smt. Aruna Sunderarajan, senior officials of Ministry of Steel and officials from MSTC and Mahindra Co. also attended the meeting.
Encouraging Growth in Power Sector
During the 12th Plan period, a target of 88,537 MW excluding 30,000 MW of Renewal Energy Source, was fixed for capacity addition. Against this, cumulative capacity addition of 84,990.7 MW has been achieved as on 31.03.2016. This was stated by Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.The Minister further stated that some of the key challenges faced by the Government are delay in land acquisition, environment and forest issues, rehabilitation & resettlement issues, natural calamities, law and order problems, local issues, contractual problems, delay in material supply, geological uncertainties, extreme weather conditions, difficult terrain and poor accessibility, funds constraints, force majeure risk, inter – state issues, Right of way problem (ROW) for transmission lines etc.
The following steps are taken for monitoring ongoing/delayed power projects for their timely completion:
• Central Electricity Authority (CEA) monitors the progress of under construction power projects through frequent site visits and interaction with the developers, equipment suppliers and other stakeholders to identify issues critical for commissioning of projects and help in resolving them.
• Regular reviews are also undertaken by Ministry of Power, Ministry of Heavy Industries and Cabinet Secretariat to identify the areas of constraint and facilitate faster resolution of inter- ministerial and other outstanding issues.
• A Power Project Monitoring Panel (PPMP) has been set up by the Ministry of Power for monitoring of on-going Thermal and Hydro Generation projects targeted for commissioning during the 12th Plan and beyond along with the associated transmission system.
• Issues are also raised in PRAGATI, for proactive governance and timely implementation, as and when required.
For development of Power Sector, the following schemes have been launched:
(I) Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojna (DDUGJY) for
(i) Separation of agriculture and non-agriculture feeders facilitating judicious restoring of supply to agricultural & non-agriculture consumers in the rural areas; and
(ii) Strengthening and augmentation of sub-transmission & distribution infrastructure in rural areas, including metering of distribution transformers / feeders / consumers.
The components at (i) and (ii) of the above scheme have an estimated outlay of Rs. 43,033 crore including a budgetary support of Rs. 33,453 crore from Government of India during the entire implementation period. In addition, the scheme of Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) has been subsumed in this scheme with an approved cost of Rs. 39,275 crore including budgetary support of Rs. 35,447 crore.
(II) Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) with the following components:
(i) Strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution networks in the urban areas; and
(ii) Metering of distribution transformers / feeders / consumers in the urban areas.
The components at (i) and (ii) above have an estimated outlay of Rs. 32,612 crore including a budgetary support of Rs. 25,354 crore from Government of India during the entire implementation period. In addition, the scheme of Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) has been subsumed in this scheme with approved cost of Rs. 44,011 crore including budgetary support of Rs. 22,727 crore.
(III) National Smart Grid Mission (NSGM) for planning, monitoring and implementation of policies & programs related to development of smart grid in India.
The total estimated cost for NSGM activities for 12th Plan is Rs.980 crore including a budgetary support of Rs.338 crores. Under NSGM, 30% funding will be provided for development of Smart Grid in selected Smart Cities in the country along with development of micro grid in the country, the Minister added.
Civil Services Examination and Indian Forest Service Examination – 2016
Civil Services Examination and Indian Forest Service Examination – 2016
Common Preliminary Examination
The Union Public Service Commission will hold the Civil Services (Preliminary)Examination, 2016 on August 07, 2016. This Preliminary Examination will be common for the candidates applying for Civil Services Examination and Indian Forest ServiceExamination, and will act as a screening mechanism for selection of candidates for the Civil Services (Main) Examination and Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination. The examination will be held at 72 centers across the country, inaccordance with the rules of Civil Services Examination notified in the Official Gazette on April 27, 2016 by the Department of Personnel & Training, Government of India and the Rules of Indian Forest Service Examination notified by the Ministry of Environment and Forest in the Official Gazette on April 27, 2016.
Candidates are required to apply through online mode on the Commission’s Websitewww.upsconline.nic.in. No other mode is allowed for submission of application. Thecommencement of filling online applications shall start from April 27, 2016 andconclude on May 27, 2016 [till 11.59 PM].
For details regarding the Syllabus and Scheme of the Examination, Centers ofExamination, Guidelines for filling up application form etc. aspirants must visit theCommission’s Website www.upsc.gov.in or www.upsconline.nic.in and refer to the Notices of the above mentioned two examinations.
While submitting the online applications for the Civil Service (Preliminary) Examination, the candidates will have the option to choose either the Civil Services or the Indian Forest Service or both. Therefore, before exercising their options, applicants may carefully read and understand the eligibility and other criteria contained in the detailed notices of both the Civil Services [Examination] 2016 and Indian Forest Service Examination 2016 which are available on the aforementioned Website of the Commission.
Target for generation of nuclear power
The Integrated Energy Policy formulated in the year 2006 had envisaged reaching a nuclear power capacity of 63,000 MW by 2032. Further, the government in its recent submission of Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) has also stated that efforts are being made to achieve 63 GW installed capacity by the year 2032, if supply of fuel is ensured.The percentage share of energy from nuclear power by the end of the Twelfth Plan period is expected to be around 3%. In the 2016-17 budget speech, the Finance Minister has announced that the Government is drawing up a comprehensive plan, spanning next 15 to 20 years, to augment the investment in nuclear power generation.
This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Literacy in Villages Under Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana
In order to give fillip to the advancement of goals and objectives of Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) relating to adult education, an initiative was undertaken to align the Saakshar Bharat programme with SAGY in Saakshar Bharat districts through convergence of existing resources available under the scheme. As a part of this initiative, it was aimed to make all out efforts to achieve 100 per cent literacy in 408 Saansad Adarsh Grams in 276 Saakshar Bharat districts spread in 23 States and One UT by 31st March, 2016.Plan-wise targets are fixed to achieve higher levels of literacy in a phased manne
Rs. 94 Crore released under Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Scheme
The overall objective of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme is to improve declining Child Sex Ratio in the country and create an enabling environment for the education of girl child and this requires long-term attitudinal change. The Scheme has completed its one year and is at the nascent stage of implementation. In the last one year, several local innovative interventions have been demonstrated by the districts with support from Department of WCD, Health and Education. This has resulted in increased awareness, sensitization and conscious building around the issue of declining CSR in the public domain.As per Census 2011 data, Child Sex Ratio (CSR) stands at 918 girls per 1000 boys in the age group of 0-6 years, against 927 in 2001 Census. The reasons behind the declining Child Sex Ratio in the country are primarily the socio- cultural mindset having preference for son, considering girls as burden and preference for small family. Further, easy availability of technology for sex determination tests and abortion services act as a catalyst in the declining Child Sex Ratio.
The BBBP scheme is being implemented through the State Govt./UT Administration. The Village Convergence & Facilitation Service (VCFS) is being implemented in BBBP districts at Gram Panchayat (GP) level to generate awareness regarding various schemes/programmes of the Central/State Government and mobilize the community to create demand and access/avail such services at grass root level. The States/UTs have undertaken various activities under the BBBP.
Funds to the tune of Rs.93.90 Crore have been released for the implementation of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Scheme.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi in reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Production of cost-effective sports equipment
Development of programmes to attract youth towards sports
The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs & Sports, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has said that Sports is a State subject and, therefore, it is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments to promote sports and create adequate sports infrastructure. The Central Government complements/supplements the efforts of the State Governments. For promotion of sports, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports was implementing Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA) Scheme, Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS) and National Sports Talent Search Scheme (NSTSS) which have since been merged into a Central Sector Scheme known as “Khelo In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today the Minister said, India – National Programme for Development of Sports” which is being launched during 2016-17.
Production of cost-effective sports equipmentThe Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs & Sports, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has said that the Sports Goods Export Promotion Council (SGEPC) has informed that most of the manufacturers of sports equipment are in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector and operate with minimum technology. There are no big factories in India for manufacturing of sports equipment. Most of manufacturing process depends on the manual labour. Major sports equipment made in India are inflatable balls, cricket equipment, boxing equipment, track and field equipment, table tennis, badminton, carom board etc. Most of sports equipment, which require technology like composite rackets, golf clubs, hiking equipment, water sports equipment etc. are not made in India. The demand in India for these equipments is met through imports. There is definitely a need to introduce technology to produce cost effective sports equipment especially for above mentioned items.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today the Minister said, as informed by SGEPC, Sports equipment sector is not included in ‘Make in India’ programme presently.
Steps taken by Government to reduce malnutrition in the country
As per one of the targets under Globally Agreed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and older persons”.To address the components of the Target, the WCD Ministry is implementing Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme and Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Adolescent Girls i.e. SABLA. While ICDS covers the nutritional needs of children of 6 months- 6 years age, pregnant and lactating mothers, RGSAG Scheme covers the nutritional and non-nutritional components for adolescent girls. Under these schemes, age appropriate Supplementary Nutrition is provided to the beneficiaries at the Anagnwadi Centres spread across the country.
As per the National Family Health Survey, the proportion of under-weight children below 3 years declined from 43% in 1998-99 to 40% in 2005-06. As per the Rapid Survey on Children (RSoC), 2013-14, commissioned by Ministry of Women and Child Development, there is a reduction in under weight among under 5 years of age from 42.5% in NFHS-III to 29.4% and wasting from 19.8% in NFHS-III to 15.1% in RSoC.
As per the Rapid Survey on Children (RSoC), 2013-14, mentioned above, the level of stunting among children under 5 years of age has reduced from 48% in NFHS-II to 38.7% in RSoC.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi in reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Registration of all Child Care Institutions
Registration of all Child Care Institutions made mandatory under the new JJ Act, 2015: Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi
Inspection of Child Care Institutions (CCIs) including Observation Homes and Special Homes in the States of Odisha (06), Rajasthan (14), West Bengal (13) and Madhya Pradesh (08) was conducted during the year 2014-15 by the officials of the WCD Ministry along with a representative of the State Government concerned.Some of the shortcomings that were noticed during the inspections of these CCIs included remote accessibility, health check up of children not being done regularly, rehabilitative services such as vocational training, recreation facilities not being up to the mark. The shortcomings were immediately brought to the notice of the State Government concerned through their representative for effective remedial action.
Further, the Government has enacted the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (JJ Act) w.e.f. 15th January, 2016 repealing the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. The new Act includes several provisions for the effective functioning of Homes established under the Act. Under Section 41, registration of all CCIs, whether run by a State Government or by voluntary or non-governmental organizations, for housing children in need of care and protection or children in conflict with law, has been made mandatory with penal provisions. In order to ensure rehabilitative services are provided to children in Homes, Section 53 of the Act includes detailed rehabilitative services such as education, vocational training, mental health interventions, counseling, recreation, etc. Besides, State Governments are required to inspect all registered institutions at least once in every three months under Section 54 of the Act. The Juvenile Justice Boards and Child Welfare Committees are also required to mandatorily conduct inspection of Homes and has been included as part of their functions.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi in reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Cleaning of Hindon River
The Government is aware of excess industrial and municipal discharge in the Hindon river. The assessment of the water quality of river Hindon by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) indicates that the river is not meeting the criteria with respect to Dissolved Oxygen, Conductivity, BOD, Total Coliform and Faecal Coliform. The Dissolved Oxygen as low as 0.4 mg/l has been observed downstream Saharanpur. The high level of BOD can be attributed to discharge of industrial effluents from number of electroplating and tannery units. River Hindon receives the municipal as well as industrial effluents from the township of Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Meerut, Baghpat and Gautam Buddhnagar.
Under the Centrally sponsored scheme of Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) Phase-I, the towns of Saharanpur, Muzzafarnagar, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budhnagar located along Hindon, which is a tributary of river Yamuna, have been covered. Pollution abatement works pertaining to interception, diversion and treatment of sewage, low cost sanitation, improved wood crematoria, afforestation, public participation and awareness, etc. and amounting to Rs 159.35 crore have been implemented in these four towns to reduce the domestic pollution load in river Hindon. A sewage treatment capacity of 269.5 million liters per day (mld) has been created in these towns under YAP Phase-I.
As per the information received from U.P. Pollution Control Board (UPPCB), out of the 108 major water polluting industries discharging their waste water directly into river Hindon, 107 industries have installed effluent treatment plants and one unit has been closed down by UPPCB. Notices have been issued by UPPCB to 1 distillery unit, 5 sugar mills and 4 industrial units to comply with various pollution control norms.
Additional steps taken by CPCB to control water pollution include:
• Industrial pollution control measures taken under the provision of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution), Act, 1974;
• A mutually agreed time targeted programme is implemented under Corporate Responsibility on Environment Protection (CREP) on various commitments;
• Special Drives: 17 categories of industries with zero liquid discharge, wherever feasible;
• Intensive monitoring of industries discharging effluent into rivers and lakes;
• Promotion of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETP) for cluster of Small Scale Industrial units;
• Urban centres discharging wastewater in aquatic resources and having no treatment facilities have been identified and recommended for appropriate action to respective authorities;
• Identified urban centres are being considered under various River Action Plans for interception, diversion and development of treatment facilities;
• The depletion of flow in the rivers is one of the major factor for water quality degradation. Steps are being taken to augment flow in rivers for ecological consideration and the respective ministries concerned such as Water Resources and Power are being persuaded to provide adequate flow in the rivers so that rivers can attain its ecological balance including desired water quality for various beneficial uses;
• With respect to industrial effluents, consent management for compliance of standards is being enforced by SPCBs/PCCs to improve the water quality of the rivers;
This information was given by Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Water Crisis : Depletion in Ground Water Level
Ground water is continuously being exploited due to growth in population, increased industrialization and irrigation and its use being highly inefficient, has resulted in decline of ground water levels in various parts of the Country. Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) under the Ministry of Water Resources, RD & GR carries out ground water monitoring, four times a year, on regional scale through a network of observation wells in the Country including Haryana and Punjab. Water level data for pre-monsoon 2015 compared with decadal mean of pre-monsoon (2005-2014) indicates decline in ground water level in 47% of the wells monitored.A Model Bill on Flood Plain Zoning was circulated to all the States in 1975 for guidance of States for enactment of legislation. The Model Bill provides for flood zoning authorities, surveys and delineation of flood plain area, notification of limits of flood plains, prohibition or restriction of the use of the flood plains, compensation and power to remove obstruction etc. Govt. of Manipur has enacted flood plain zoning legislation in 1978, but the demarcation of flood zones has not been done, as yet. The State of Rajasthan has also enacted legislation. The State Government of Uttarakhand has also passed Flood Plain Zoning Act on 16th December, 2012 but the demarcation of flood zones has not been done, as yet. Some States like Bihar and UP have informed about difficulties in implementation of Bill due to large flood affected plain areas. No fund has been allocated / released for mapping of flood affected areas.
Following steps have been taken to check depletion of river and ground water:-
• CWC has issued an advisory on 12th April, 2016 to the concerned Engineer-in-Chief of State Governments regarding judicious use of available water in view of low storage position of reservoirs in 2016.
• As per Schedule-I of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the water conservation and water harvesting structures to augment ground water constitute a special focus area for MGNREGA works.
• During XI Plan, Demonstrative Artificial Recharge Projects were taken up under Central Sector Scheme “Ground Water Management & Regulation”. The scheme on Artificial Recharge project under Ground Water Management & Regulation Scheme has been discontinued during the XII Plan period.
• A conceptual document entitled “Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water in India” has been prepared during the year 2013, which envisages construction of different types of Artificial Recharge and Rainwater Harvesting structures in the Country in an area of 9,41,541 sq.km for harnessing surplus monsoon runoff to augment ground water resources. The Master Plan has been circulated to all State Governments for implementation.
• Ministry of Urban Development in its Draft Model Building Bye-Laws (2015) has incorporated a Chapter on Provision of Rain Water Harvesting.
• Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) constituted under ‘The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986’ for the purpose of regulation and control of ground water development and management has issued advisory to States/ Union Territories and Ministry of Urban Development to take necessary measures for adopting rain water harvesting/ artificial recharge in all the Government buildings. Besides, 30 States/UTs have made rainwater harvesting mandatory by enacting laws / formulating rules & regulations / by including provisions in building bye-laws / through suitable Government Orders etc.
• CGWB has been organizing mass awareness programmes in the Country to promote rain water harvesting and artificial recharge to ground water.
This information was given by Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Water Crisis
The average annual per capita water availability in the country, as per 2011 census, was 1545 cubic meters; it is estimated to go down to 1340 cubic meters by the year 2025. State wise details of per capita water availability in the country are not maintained by the Central Government.The availability of water resources is limited, but demand for water in the country is increasing due to increasing population, industrialization, urbanization and changing lifestyle. As a result water has become a relatively scarce resource in some areas of the country. A per-capita water availability of less than 1700 cubic meters is considered as water stressed condition, whereas per-capita water availability below 1000 cubic meters is considered as a water scarcity condition.
Several measures for meeting water crisis through augmenting, conserving and using water resources more efficiently are undertaken by the State Governments. The Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation provides technical and financial assistance to the State Governments in this regard through various schemes and programmes viz. Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme, Scheme for Repair, Renovation & Restoration of Water-bodies etc.
Central Ground Water Board, under this Ministry has prepared a conceptual document entitled “Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water in India” during the year 2013 envisaging construction of 1.11 crore Rainwater Harvesting and Artificial Recharge structures in the country to harness 85 BCM (Billion Cubic Meters) of water. The augmented ground water resources will enhance the availability of water for drinking, domestic, industrial and irrigation purposes. The Master Plan has been circulated to all State Governments for implementation.
Water conservation and water harvesting structures to augment ground water constitute a special focus area for MGNREGA works and about 2/3rd of the expenditure is directly related to construction of such structures.Central Government has launched the National Water Mission with the objective of conservation of water, minimizing wastage and ensuring its more equitable distribution both across and within States through integrated water resources development and management.
The National Water Policy, 2012 has been formulated which has made several recommendations for conservation, development and improved management of water resources in the country. Jal Kranti Abhiyan (2015-16 to 2017-18) has been launched in order to consolidate water conservation and management in the country through a holistic and integrated approach involving all stakeholders, making it a mass movement.
Recycle and reuse of water, after treatment to specified standards as well as rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge are being incentivized through various initiatives, programmes/ schemes of the Government. Improved water use efficiency in different sectors such as in irrigation (through micro-irrigation, e.g., drip, sprinkler etc.), industry and households is being encouraged through various initiatives, programmes/ schemes of the Government.
This Ministry has also formulated a National Perspective Plan (NPP) envisaging inter-basin transfer of water. The implementation of NPP would give benefits of approximately 35 million hectare of additional irrigation potential and 34000 mega watts (MW) hydro power generation apart from the incidental benefits of flood moderation, navigation, drinking and industrial water supply, fisheries, salinity and pollution control etc.
This information was given by Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Prof. Sanwar Lal Jat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Real Time Data for Flood Forecast
The frequent extreme weather events and erratic monsoon pattern observed in the recent past have affected huge population in concerned areas.The Central Water Commission under this Ministry maintains a network of 878 stations for collection of flood information and issues flood forecasts to 176 stations located on major rivers and their tributaries in the country. In December, 2015, the Ministry has approved the scheme of “Flood Forecasting” at a cost of Rs. 281 crore for implementation in XII Plan. The scheme envisages modernisation of its existing network and provision of an additional 100 flood forecasting stations for real-time flood forecasting.
Besides, the Ministry has taken up National Hydrology Project (NHP) and setting up of National Water Informatics Centre (NWIC) at New Delhi. The NHP envisages setting up of a system for timely and reliable water resources data acquisition, storage, collation and management. It will help in gathering hydro-metrological data for analysis on a real time basis.
The National Water Informatics Centre (NWIC) shall provide a ‘Single Window’ source of updated data on water resources & allied themes including real time data as per availability; and provide value added products and services to all stake holders for its management and sustainable development for the benefit of all communities across the nation.
This information was given by Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Prof. Sanwar Lal Jat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
