MINISTER OF STATE FOR DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION(SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV)
(a) The details of the funds sanctioned/ allocated/released and utilised under National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise are at Annexure-I.
Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) is demand driven scheme, hence no State/UT-wise allocation is being made. However, State/UT-wise Central share released and expenditure during last three years and the current year under NBA/SBM(G) is at Annexure-II.
(b) Drinking Water supply and Sanitation is a State subject. Under the NRDWP, the State Governments are vested with the powers to plan, execute and implement drinking water supply schemes. The State Governments, in consultation with the Ministry, prepare Annual Action Plans each year, to implement rural water supply schemes to cover partially covered and quality affected habitations and for other activities. However, as informed by States/UTs the most probable reasons for under utilization of funds are time taken for planning, designing, sanctioning, procuring, execution and commissioning of rural water supply schemes in remote and inhospitable areas , less working days available due to adverse weather conditions especially in hilly areas , procurement issues and stoppage of work due to coming into force of election code of conduct.
The Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) has been launched on 2nd October, 2014, which aims at attaining an Open Defecation Free India by 2nd October 2019. Since the programme is demand driven and emphasises behavioural change, funds by same States/UTs may remain unutilized due to inadequate institutional capacities. However, the following steps have been taken under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) :-
Provision of incentives for the construction of Individual household latrine (IHHL) raised to Rs.12000, including central share of Rs.9000.00 (Rs. 10800.00 in case of special category states) and State share of Rs. 3000.00 (Rs. 1200.00 in case of special category states) for all Below poverty Line (BPL) households and to identified Above Poverty Line (APL) households (all SCs /STs, small and marginal farmers, landless labourers with homestead, physically handicapped and women-headed households).
The partial funding of incentive from MGNREGS has been stopped. The entire assistance now been provided under one programme.
Demand is sought to be created by triggering ‘Behaviour change’ by intensifying Information, Education and Communication (IEC) and Inter Personal Communication (IPC) campaigns as Sanitation is Mind-set issue.
Partnerships of various stakeholders working on rural sanitation is being promoted including Multilateral organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Civil Society Organisations, Self Help Groups (SHGs), Institutions etc.
Both outputs (Construction) and Outcomes (usage) are to be monitored.
(c) Under the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) funds are allocated to the States on the basis of a pre approved criteria . States are free to spend the funds on any type of schemes as per the approval of the State Level Scheme Sanctioning Committee (SLSSC) and as per the NRDWP guidelines . No scheme wise sanction of funds is made to the States by the Ministry.
(d) Drinking Water is a State subject which inter-alia include provision of drinking water and sanitation facilities in schools/educational institutions for girls. Provision of drinking water in schools in rural areas which have been constructed prior to 2007 will be dealt under National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) on a fund sharing basis of 50:50 between Centre and State. Those schools which are constructed during or after 2007 will be dealt by funds from programmes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). However, the responsibility of Operation & Maintenance of rural water supply assets in the schools rests with the State Department / Board dealing with rural water supply. In compliance of the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s order dated 3.10.2012 to provide safe drinking water to all rural schools , the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation has written to Chief Secretaries of all States on 9th October, 2012, followed by several reminders, to personally review the position and give instructions to the officials concerned to comply with the Court’s directions.
