(a) whether the Union Government have received any representation from various
State Governments regarding development of Accelerated Rural Water Supply
Projects in their States;
(b) if so, the details thereof State-wise and the reaction of the Government thereto;
and
(c) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI ANNASAHEB M.K. PATIL)
(a) to (c) Drinking water supply being a State subject, schemes for providing drinking
water facilities are implemented by the States from their own resources. The Government
of India supplements the efforts of the States by providing financial assistance under the
Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP). The powers to plan, sanction
and implement Rural Water Supply schemes under the above programmes rests with the
State Governments.
In October 2001, a State Minister`s Conference was held where improvements of
Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme were suggested. In pursuance to the
recommendations of the State Ministers` Conference, following changes in the
Guidelines for Rural Water Supply have been made:
(i) Weightage for Not Covered and Partially Covered villages and Quality affected
villages in the criteria for inter-state allocation of funds under Accelerated Rural
Water Supply Programme has been increased from 10% and 5% to 15% and 10%
respectively.
(ii) The norms may be relaxed to provide for 55 ltrs per capita per day with a source
within 0.5 km in the plains and 50 metres elevation in the hills after the coverage
of all Not Covered and Partially Covered rural habitations in that State is
achieved, as per the existing norms of 40 litres per capita per day. This relaxation
is subject to the condition that beneficiaries of the relaxed norms will share a part
of the capital cost (which should not be less than 10%) and shoulder full
responsibilities for subsequent Operation and Maintenance.
(iii) 5% of Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme funds have been earmarked
for natural calamities and emergent situations. Funds out of this remaining un-
utilised in February will be pooled back to normal Accelerated Rural Water
Supply Programme fund and allocated to better performing States.