(a) whether the Government proposes to set up Fluoride Mitigation Centres in the country including West Bengal;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the funds allocated for the purpose;
(c) the time by which these centres are likely to be started; and
(d) the percentage of population suffering from fluorosis, State-wise?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA)
(a) to (c) The Government has decided to set up National Centre for Drinking Water, Sanitation and Quality (NCDWSQ) at Kolkata at a capital outlay of Rs. 96.21 crore. The construction of building and campus development of the Centre has been taken up and is nearing completion. The mandate of the Centre inter alia includes the issue of Fluoride mitigation.
(d) As reported by the State/ UTs, as on 18.09.2020, there are 5,443 rural habitations with 43.28 lakh population, having Fluoride contamination in drinking water sources. The State-wise list of Fluoride-affected habitations with population as on date is provided at Annex–I. Prolonged consumption of excess Fluoride through various sources, may lead to Fluorosis. To provide safe water to every rural household through tap water connections by 2024, Jal Jeevan Mission–Har Ghar Jal is under implementation in partnerships with States, at an estimated outlay of Rs. 3.60 lakh Crore.
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