Question : Extent of Access to Safe Drinking Water

(a) whether more than 163 million Indians do not have access to safe drinking water, and the national rural drinking water programme despite spending 90 percent of 89,956 crore rupees over five years upto 2017, could not achieve its targets according to a recent report from the Government auditor and if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto;
(b) the current status of India’s progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all; and
(c) the details of the Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG-6) of the United Nation’s Agenda 2030 to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all?

(a) Rural drinking water supply is a state subject and this Ministry provides assistance to State government for improving the coverage of safe drinking water in rural areas. As reported by States on Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) of the Ministry, out of 91.62 crore rural population, 4.08 crore rural populations are getting less than 40 litre per capita per day (lpcd) safe drinking water.The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on performance audit of NRDWP was shared with the states on 21st August 2018, and the states were asked to take necessary corrective and preventive measures on the points raised in the report and submit an action taken report to MDWS. Further, a reminder was sent to states on 8th November 2018 for the same. MDWS is continuously following up with states on this subject.

This Ministry provides technical and financial assistance to States for improving the coverage of safe drinking water in rural areas in line with the commitment made by the country in the international forum while agreeing for UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-2030.The Ministry has recently restructured the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) to make it more competitive and result oriented.Ministry of Finance, Govt of India releases grants to the States for Gram Panchayats on the recommendations made by 14th Finance Commission (F.C.) for various specified basic services which includes water supply. Further, on 14th Finance Commission, enhanced devolution of funds (from 32% to 42%) to States has been made and the states have been advised by this Ministry to utilize the same in drinking water supply in rural areas. These funds can be used for creation of new schemes as well of O&M of existing schemes.

(b) & (c) The details of the Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG-6) of the United Nation’s Agenda 2030 are as under:

o SDG Target # 6[Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all], Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for ALL, Indicator for Drinking Water 6.1.1: Percentage of population using safely managed drinking water services

Regarding status, as reported by States as on 26.12.2018, 80.42% rural habitations are getting more than 40 litre per capita per day (lpcd) safe drinking water. 55.14% of rural population is getting piped water supply. 17.93% of rural household has tap connection.