Water Resources
           THE Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation lays down
      policies and programmes for development and regulation of the water resources of the country. It
      covers sectoral planning, coordination, policy guidelines, technical examination and techno-
      economic appraisal of projects, providing central assistance to specific projects, facilitation of
      external assistance and assistance in the resolution of inter-state water disputes, policy
      formulation, planning and guidance in respect of major, medium and minor irrigation, ground
      water management, command area development, flood management, dam safety and river
      development and Ganga rejuvenation (including its tributaries rejuvenation), regulation and
      development of interstate rivers, implementation of awards of Tribunals, water quality
      assessment, bilateral/external assistance and matters relating to rivers common to India and
      neighbouring countries.
      Relevant Website: www.mwr.gov.in
      Water Availability
           The average annual water availability of any region or country is largely dependent upon
      hydro-meteorological and geological factors and is generally constant. As per National
      Commission on Integrated Water Resources Development (NCIWRD) report, the total water
      availability of the country received through precipitation is about 4000 Billion Cubic Meter
      (BCM) per annum. After evaporation, 1869 BCM water is available as natural runoff. Due to
      geological and other factors, the utilizable water availability is limited to 1137 BCM per annum
      comprising 690 BCM of surface water and 447 BCM of replenishable ground water.
           Water availability per person is dependent on population of the country and for India water
      availability per capita is reducing progressively due to increase in population. The average
      annual per capita water availability in the years 2001 and 2011 was assessed as 1820 cubic
      meters and 1545 cubic meters respectively which may reduce further to 1340 and 1140 in the
      years 2025 and 2050 respectively. Annual per-capita water availability of less than 1700 cubic
      meters is considered as water stressed condition, whereas annual per-capita water availability
      below 1000 cubic meters is considered as a water scarcity condition. Due to high temporal and
      spatial variation of precipitation, the water availability of many region of the country is much
      below the national average and can be considered as water stressed / water scarce. Total
      requirement of the country for different uses for high demand scenario for the years 2025 and
      2050 has been assessed as 843 BCM and 1180 BCM respectively.
      National Water Policy
           The National Water Policy, 2012 was adopted by the National Water Resources Council.
      This Policy has made several recommendations for conservation, development and improved
      management of water resources in the country. Impertinence is on the need for a national water
      framework law; comprehensive legislation for optimum development of inter-state rivers and
      river valleys; evolving a system of benchmarks for water uses for different purposes to ensure