Question : UTILISATION OF FUNDS UNDER DRINKING WATER SCHEMES

(a) the funds released and utilised under drinking water schemes during each of the last three years and the current year, State/ UT-wise;

(b) the mechanism put in place to ensure that the funds allocated under the schemes are utilised in a proper manner and as per laid down guidelines;

(c) whether various irregularities such as misuse/diversion of funds under drinking water schemes have come to the notice of the Government and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise; and

(d) the action taken by the Government thereon and to check recurrence of such irregularities in future?

MINISTER FOR DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION(SHRI BIRENDER SINGH )

(a ) to (d) A Statement is laid on the table of the House.


Statement referred to in the reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 226 (6th Position) due for answer on 12/03/2015

(a ) ) The funds released and utilised under drinking water schemes during each of the last three years and the current year, State/ UT-wise is given at Annexure-I.

(b) The Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation reviews the implementation of the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) periodically by conducting national and regional review meetings and video conferences with the State Department officers dealing with rural water supply. Conferences of State Secretaries in-charge of Rural Drinking Water Supply of all States are frequently held, wherein the progress achieved under NRDWP is reviewed. Two National review meetings in order to review the progress of NRDWP were held on 25.8.2014 and 22.01.2015 chaired by Minister ,Drinking Water and Sanitation . Area Officers/ Technical Officers of the Ministry also visit the States regularly to monitor the progress of implementation of the programme which includes field visits. The review meetings and visits provide information about the implementation of the Programme and enables the Government of India and State Governments to focus on the areas where progress is lacking.

The funds under the NRDWP are allocated to the States under different components like Programme (Normal), Desert Development Programme (DDP), Support, Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance (WQM&S) and Earmarked Fund for Water Quality. To keep a check on the misuse/ diversion of funds , in the sanction orders regarding release of funds, the States are mandated to spend the funds for the purpose they are allocated and furnish utilization certificates separately for each component.

(c) and (d) Instances of misuse / diversion of funds allocated to the States have come to the notice of the Ministry as per the reports received from Accountant General/ Chartered Accountants empanelled by Comptroller and Auditor General during the audit of the accounts of the States. The details of the same and the action taken by the Ministry in this regard is given at Annexure-II.