Question : SAFE DRINKING WATER FACILITY TO CHILDREN

 

(a) whether Jalmani Scheme was initiated on 14 November, 2008 to provide safe and clear drinking water to children studying in water deficient rural schools;

(b) if so, the number of schools that were targeted to be covered under the scheme indicating the total number of schools actually covered during 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12, State-wise;

(c) whether the Government has identified the reasons for not achieving the targets;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government has conducted any study of functioning of installed water purifiers in schools and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the steps taken to ensure that water purifiers/reverse osmosis and other related facilities are made available in schools for supply of safe drinking water?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. D. PURANDESWARI)

(a) Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation initiated Jalmani Scheme on 14 November, 2008, with the objective of providing safe and clean drinking water to the children studying in one lakh water deficient rural schools.

(b) A State-wise statement on the number of schools targeted to be covered and number of schools actually covered under the scheme during the year 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 (as on 22.03.2012) is at Annexure.

(c)& (d) The targets under the scheme could not be achieved fully due to delay in identification of schools contaminated with bacteriological contamination, iron or turbidity, lack of convergence between State Departments dealing with Drinking Water Supply and School Education, selection of technology, delayed tendering / retendering process, etc.

(e) & (f) An independent 3rd Party evaluation of Jalmani Programme was conducted by Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation in the year 2011-12 which pointed out certain deficiencies relating to coverage, delay in installment, technical faults, poor service etc. The deficiencies observed were conveyed to all States to take up necessary rectification measures. The High level Technical Committee constituted by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation provided suggestive technologies/ products which can be considered by the State Governments under Jalmani programme.