(a) whether the availability of potable water has been adversely affected due to the decline in ground water level in certain parts of the country including rural areas during the recent years;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the steps taken by the Union Government to provide financial and technical assistance to the State Governments for the purpose; and
(d) the details of the achievements made in this regard as a result of the same?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA)
(a) & (b) As reported by States/ UTs, as on 14.09.2020, 79.16% rural habitations having 77.69% population have provision of more than 40 litre per capita per day (lpcd) of potable drinking water and 17.89% rural habitations having 19.34% population have service level of less than 40 lpcd potable water, whereas 3.15% rural habitations having 2.97% population with water sources having quality issues.
(c) & (d) To enable every rural household in the country to have potable water supply through Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) by 2024, Government of India is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission - Har Ghar Jal in partnership with States with an estimated outlay of Rs. 3.60 lakh crore, out of which Centre share is Rs. 2.08 lakh crore. Based on requirement, Government of India provides technical inputs to States/ UTs especially while approving the schemes by States.
Since start of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), State/ UT-wise fund released in 2019-20 and amount allocated in 2020-21, are annexed. Fund is released to eligible States/ UTs regularly in accordance to the prescribed criteria for release of funds.
As reported by States and UTs, about 5.47 crore rural households have tap water supply.
***