New Delhi, Dec 4 (PTI) Fifteen states and six Union Territories have implemented ground water legislation on the lines of the Model Bill circulated by the Centre, Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Bishweswar Tudu informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday.

In a written reply, the minister said the ministry has circulated a Model Bill to all the states and Union Territories to help them enact suitable ground water legislation, which includes provision of rain water harvesting.

Also Read | Mizoram Election 2023 Results: Nine out of 11 MNF Ministers Lose to Zoram People's Movement Candidates, Says ECI.

So far, 21 states/Union Territories have adopted and implemented the ground water legislation on the lines of the Model Bill, he said.

The minister said the Centre is facilitating the efforts of the state governments through financial and technical assistance., even though water is a state subject, development and management of ground water resources a primarily the responsibility of the states.

Also Read | Cyclone Michaung Update: Andhra Pradesh Braces for Heavy Rains As Cyclonic Storm Intensifies; State Government Issues Alert to Eight Districts.

The states where the legislation regarding ground water has been implemented are Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

The Union Territories are Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, and Pondicherry, the minister informed the Upper House.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)