(a) whether NITI Aayog proposes to provide one time assistance to States suffering from the presence of Arsenic and Fluoride in drinking water; and
(b) the present status of the proposal and the financial assistance proposed to be made to Andhra Pradesh particularly for Prakasam region?
MINISTER OF STATE
IN THE MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
(SHRI RAMESH CHANDAPPA JIGAJINAGI)
(a) With the recommendation of NITI Aayog,States have been provided one time assistance of an amount of Rs. 800 Crores in March 2016 as 100% grant by the Government of India to provide 8-10 litres per capita per day of safe drinking water in arsenic and fluoride affected habitations for drinking and cooking purposes, as short term measures through Community Water Purification Plants (CWPPs). In addition to this, funds to the tune of Rs.100 Crore each were also provided for tackling arsenic and fluoride problems in West Bengal and Rajasthan respectively for the last mile connectivity in commissioning surface water based piped water supply schemes.
(b) During March 2016, with the recommendation from NITI Aayog, Government of India has released Rs. 21.26 Crore to Government of Andhra Pradesh as one time assistance to install Community Water Purification Plants in 394 fluoride affected habitations. As per the information provided bythe Government of Andhra Pradesh out of 394 fluoride affected habitations, community water purification plants (CWPPs) have been installed in 325 fluoride affected habitations. Out of 325 installed CWPPs, 56 plants have been installed in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh at a cost of Rs. 2.12 Crore.
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