e:
(a) whether some State Governments including Uttar Pradesh have submitted
proposals for setting up of Fluoride and Arsenic Mitigation Centres in their
respective States;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(c) the action taken by the Union Government on the said proposals, State-wise;
and
(d) the time by which the said Centres are likely to be set up?
MINISTER OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
Statement referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 594 due for reply
on 17.5.2012.
(a) & (b): Yes Sir. Two State Governments, viz., Government of Gujarat and Government
of West Bengal have submitted such proposals. Government of Gujarat has submitted a
detailed proposal in November, 2011 for setting up of a Regional Fluorosis Mitigation
Centre at Gandhinagar, and Government of West Bengal has submitted a proposal for
setting up of an Arsenic Mitigation Centre at Kolkata. Government of Uttar Pradesh has
not submitted any proposal to this Ministry for setting up either a Fluoride Mitigation
Centre or an Arsenic Mitigation Centre.
(c): Before receipt of the detailed proposal from Government of Gujarat, the Ministry
of Drinking Water and Sanitation in February, 2011 had requested the National
Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur to send a proposal to
establish a Centre of Excellence for Water Quality problems with specific focus on
fluoride and fluorosis. As announced in the Budget speech 2012-13 by the Hon`ble
Finance Minister, Rs. 50.00 crore is to be provided to establish a world-class Centre for
water quality with focus on arsenic contamination in Kolkata.
(d): On the Ministry`s request NEERI has submitted a detailed proposal for setting up
a Centre of Excellence for Water Quality Problem with specific focus on fluoride and
fluorosis. Ministry has also constituted an Expert Committee under the Chairmanship of
Director, NEERI, Nagpur, for preparing Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the Centre in
Kolkata and a road map for setting it up as soon as possible.