Question : SHARING PATTERN FOR DRINKING WATER



(a) whether the Government is considering any proposal to phase out the allocation based ARWSP scheme to replace it with the demand-driven, community-participation approach as envisaged by the Swajaldhara programme;

(b) if so, the elaborate on the policy framework; and

(c) the details of the fund sharing pattern between the Union and State Governments for the drinking water supply scheme, in case ARWSP is phased out?

Answer given by the minister

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI A. NARENDRA)

(a) Para 15.1 of the Swajaldhara Guidelines circulated in June 2003 provides for enhancing the budgetary ceiling for Swajaldhara in subsequent years to ensure full coverage of the remaining districts under Swajaldhara by the end of the 10th Plan. Para 15.3 of the Swajaldhara Guidelines further stipulates that funds under Swajaldhara will be allocated to the States every year as per the inter State Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP) allocation ratio fixed for the year. Government of India have, so far, not taken any final decision on increasing the budget provision for Swajaldhara projects and phasing out the ARWSP.

(b) & (c) Do not arise.