MINISTER OF STATEFOR MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION
(SHRI RAMESH CHANDAPPA JIGAJINAGI)
(a) As per the information entered by the State Government into the Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) of this Ministry, as on 16/07/2018, the rural habitations of States/districts affected with fluoride, arsenic, Iron, Salinity, Nitrate and Heavy metal are per Annexure-A.
(b) to (d) Rural drinking water supply is a state subject. For improving the coverage of safe drinking water to rural population, this Ministry supplements the efforts of the states by providing them with technical and financial assistance through the centrally sponsored National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP). It is the State Governments who plan, design, approve, execute and operate & maintain the schemes for providing safe drinking water to rural population.
In addition, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation has launched National Water Quality Sub-Mission on 22nd March 2017 under NRDWP to provide safe drinking water to about 28,000 arsenic / fluoride affected habitations over a span of 4 years, subject to availability of funds. Total estimated expenditure for Sub-mission is Rs. 25,000 Crore, out of which Rs.12,500 crore will be borne by the Ministry as central share over a period of 4 years commencing from the financial year 2017-18. As on 10th July, 2018, central share of Rs. 2881.3690 crores has been released so far to 16 states under Sub-mission to deal with the problem of arsenic & fluoride and ensuring safe supply of drinking water. The details of funds released under Sub-Mission to the States affected with Arsenic and Fluoride are attached as per Annexure-B.
The Ministry has informed all the States to commission surface water based piped water supply schemes in all water quality affected habitations with priority to Arsenic and Fluoride as a long term sustainable solution. Further, 2% of the NRDWP funds are earmarked for providing safe drinking water in 60 high priority districts of 5 states affected with Japanese Encephalitis/Acute Encephalitis Syndrome.
States have also been advised to install community water purification plants as a short-term immediate measure for providing 8-10 lpcd (litre per capita per day) of safe water for drinking and cooking purpose only. On recommendation of NITI Aayog, the Government of India has released Rs 800 crore in March’ 2016 as one time central assistance to states affected with arsenic and fluoride contamination for setting up community water purification. Funds to the tune of Rs.100 Crore each has also been provided to West Bengal and Rajasthan respectively for commissioning surface water based piped water supply schemes for tackling arsenic and fluoride problems for the last mile connectivity. The details of funds released by Central Government as one time central assistance to the States affected with Arsenic and Fluoride are attached as per Annexure-C. This Ministry assists the State Governments for improving the coverage of safe drinking water in respect of rural areas only.
(e) As on 31.03.2018, there are 69,258 remaining water quality affected habitations (Arsenic, Fluoride, Nitrate, Salinity, Iron or Heavy Metals) in the country which are yet to be provided safe drinking water through Piped Water. While according priority to Arsenic and Fluoride, the state governments have been advised to provide safe drinking water through piped water supply in all water quality affected habitations in line with the goals set by Sustainable Development Goals - 2030.
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