"An assessment of block level ground water is being done after every four years and the approved report of the Union Water Resource Ministry for the year 2008-2009 has been received recently," Minor Irrigation and Water Resource Minister Paras Nath Yadav told reporters here.
He said the report presents a serious situation as there has been a continuous rise in excessive exploited and critical category blocks in the state since the year 2000.
"The water level is depleting very fast. While only 22 blocks were identified in excessive exploited/critical category, this number increased to 108 as per the fresh estimates," Yadav said.
"The situation could turn worse as major dependency of recharge is on rain water. Let alone the irrigation if the situation remains the same there could be crisis of drinking water as well in future years," he said.
The minister said the districts where water table was depleting fast included Agra, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Badaun, Muzaffarnagar, Bagpath, J P Nagar, Firozabad and Jaunpur.
He said that in the wake of depleting water table it has been decided to suspend free boring scheme in these 108 blocks till the level was not recharged.
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"It has been decided that coordination would be developed with other departments and discussions would be held every three months to seek suggestions for improving the situation," he said.
The minister said to check private exploitation of ground water level, an Act would be framed.
"Discussions will be held with the CM in this regard," he said. He said that instead of free boring scheme, the department would construct check-dams in critical areas for water conservation.