Question : COVERAGE UNDER NRDWP

 

(a) the aims and objectives of National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP);

(b) whether the Government has achieved these aims and objectives and if so, the details thereof;

(c) if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) the details of the target set and achieved by the Government under NRDWP during Bharat Nirman Phase-I;

(e) whether the Government has ascertained the drawbacks in achieving the targets and if so, the details thereof including the steps taken to achieve the targets;

(f) whether the Government has formulated any programme to provide piped water supply to every household in rural areas; and

(g) if so, the details thereof and the number of households provided piped water supply,State-wise?  

MINISTER OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)

(a) to (c): The aim and objective of National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP), is to provide every rural person with adequate safe water for drinking, cooking and other basic domestic needs on a sustainable basis with a minimum water quality standard which should be conveniently accessible at all times in all situations. Achieving this aim and objective is a continuous process.

(d): During Bharat Nirman Phase I, as on 1.4.2005, it was envisaged to cover 55,067 uncovered, 3,31,604 slipped back and 2,16,968 quality affected habitations with adequate water supply. Against this as reported by the States on the Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) of this Ministry, during the Bharat Nirman Phase I from 2005-06 to 2008-09,   54,440 uncovered, 3,58,362 slipped back/partially covered and 50,168 quality affected habitations had been covered. Further, during Bharat Nirman Phase II period from 2009-10 upto 31.3.2012, a further 753 uncovered, 327,631 partially covered and 81,962 quality affected habitations have been reported covered. Newly identified slipped-back/ partially covered habitations have also been covered in this period. All identified uncovered habitations have now been reported as covered.

(e): The reasons for not fully achieving the targets of coverage of quality affected habitations include high capital costs of large multi-village schemes to bring water from distant safe sources, time taken for planning, designing, sanctioning, procuring, execution and commissioning of such schemes, slipping back of habitations to partially covered status due to drying up of drinking water sources; lowering of ground water table; drinking water sources becoming contaminated due to natural and man-made causes; water supply systems outliving their life; systems working below rated capacities; poor operation and management of systems; increase in population and emergence of new habitations, procurement issues, etc.

In order to achieve the target under NRDWP, the State Governments are vested with powers to plan, execute and implement drinking water supply schemes. The Central Government provides financial and technical assistance to the States to supplement their efforts to provide drinking water to the rural areas. They have to adopt improved Operation & Maintenance methods for better working of the rural water supply schemes and to control the leakages. Further, a separate Water Quality Monitoring & Surveillance Component with 3% of NRDWP allocation has been created to improve water quality testing. States have been given flexibility to cover water quality habitations from the funds provided under coverage, etc. The Government of India has given priority for coverage of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe concentrated habitations. There is a robust web-based monitoring mechanism at the central level to monitor the implementation of water supply schemes in the States.

(f): Under the NRDWP during the 12th Five Year Plan period, it is proposed to lay emphasis on piped water supply in the rural habitations.  

(g) As per Census of India 2011, the percentage of rural households with access to drinking water from tap water supply is at Annexure I.