(a) the number of Water Quality Testing Laboratories (WQTLs) exist in the country as on date, State/UT-wise;
(b) whether the WQTL exists in each district of the country, if not, the steps taken by the Government to set up WQTLs in each district of the country;
(c) whether any proposal for establishment of WQTLs are pending for approval with the Government; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which these are likely to be cleared?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION
(SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV)
(a) to (d) As on 1/4/2015, as reported by the States/ UTs, there are 25 State level water quality testing laboratories, 733 district level water quality testing laboratories, 243 block level water quality testing laboratories, 1,081 sub-division level water quality testing laboratories and 84 mobile water quality testing laboratories. State-wise details of laboratories set up at various levels including mobile laboratories as on 1/4/2015 is at Annexure. Wherever, there is no water quality testing laboratory at the district level, all the States have already been informed to set up the same urgently. Proposal for setting up of laboratories does not come to the Ministry as they are approved at the State level Scheme Sanctioning Committee meetings chaired by the State Principal Secretary in-charge of rural drinking water supply and these meetings are also attended by one Officer from the Ministry.