(a) whether the Ministry is aware of the fact that 600 millions of Indians face high to extreme water stress and about 2 lakh people die every year due to inadequate access to safe water;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the steps the Government would initiate in the near future to tackle the huge shortage of drinking water;
(c) whether the Government is contemplating to provide piped water to every household in the country by 2024; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (d) A Statement of reply is laid on the Table of the House.
Statement referred to in the reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 90 due for reply on 27.06.2019
(a) and (b) According to the NITI Aayog’s “Strategy for New India @75”, the per-capita water availability has decreased from 1816 cubic metre in 2001 to 1544 cubic metre in 2011. While water is a State Subject, the Central Government is working with the States to improve the water situation.
In rural areas, under centrally sponsored National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP), Central Government provides technical and financial assistance to State for improving the coverage of safe drinking water in rural habitations. As reported by states on Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) of Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, out of total 17,25,808 rural habitations, 13,98,292 rural habitations (81.02%) are fully covered. Further, out of total rural population of 9182.58 lakhs, 7001.42 lakhs rural population (76.25%) are getting more than 40 litres per capita per day safe drinking water.
In addition, the following measures to tackle the shortages of drinking water were taken/are being undertaken:
• In order to sustain the drinking water sources, artificial recharge of groundwater and rain water harvesting are being implemented under various Schemes of Government of India i.e. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) and Command Area Development &Water Management (CAD&WM) Programme etc.
• The Ministry of Jal Shakti has been created in Government of India, integrating the erstwhile Ministry of Water Resources River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation and Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation with an aim of integrated water resources management under one umbrella so that the issues relating to water are dealt with in a holistic manner.
• Government of India is committed to work with the States on the current challenge of water scarcity faced in different parts of the country. An advisory has been issued by this Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation on 20th May 2019 to States on water conservation and to meet the drinking water requirements of rural areas on priority, during scarcity.
• A meeting of the State Ministers of Water Resources and Water Supply was held on 11th June 2019 Chaired by the Minister of Jal Shakti in which comprehensive review of the activities taken up by the States for addressing the concerns arising out of the current situation were reviewed.
• The Hon’ble PM has personally addressed a letters to all sarpanches in the country motivating them to take up water conservation activities like de-silting and cleaning of water bodies, rain water harvesting etc with people participation.
(c) & (d) The matter is under consideration of the Government.
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