Centre launches National Initiative on Water Security

The Union Minister for Rural Development and the Union Jal Shakti Minister on Thursday jointly launched the ‘National Initiative on Water Security’, making water conservation and management a national priority under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

MGNREGA Schedule Amended for Water Priority

The government has amended the schedule of the MGNREGA Act, 2005, to give precedence to water-related works in water-stressed rural blocks. Under the new provisions, a minimum expenditure on water conservation and harvesting has been made mandatory across rural India.

• Over-exploited blocks: 65% of MGNREGA funds to be used for water-related works
• Semi-critical blocks: 40% of funds earmarked for water conservation
• Normal blocks: At least 30% of funds allocated to water-related activities

This marks a shift from reactive to preventive water management, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Building on a Decade of Rural Water Achievements

Since 2014, MGNREGA has become the world’s largest social welfare programme, with an expenditure of about ₹8.4 lakh crore and the generation of over 3,000 crore person-days of employment. Women’s participation in the programme has risen from 48% in 2014 to 58% in 2025.

Tangible Outcomes on the Ground

Over the past 11 years, more than 1.25 crore water conservation assets—including farm ponds, check dams, and community tanks—have been created under MGNREGA. These measures have already reduced the number of water-stressed rural blocks.

Additionally, under Mission Amrit Sarovar, more than 68,000 reservoirs have been constructed or rejuvenated in the first phase alone, further strengthening rural water resilience.