(a) whether despite different programmes on supply of drinking water to every household in the country, many villages are still dependent on wells as a source of water for every purpose and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether large number of villages are still without piped supply of safe drinking water;
(c) if so, the details thereof, State/ UT-wise; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to provide safe drinking water through pipes in all the rural areas of the country?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
(SHRI RAMESHCHANDAPPA JIGAJINAGI)
(a) Rural drinking water supply is a state subject. This Ministry through National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) provides technical and financial assistance to states in their efforts to improve the coverage for safe drinking water in rural areas. This Ministry maintains data regarding coverage of drinking water supply to rural population in terms of habitation and not in terms of household. As reported by the States in the Integrated Management Information System (IMIS)of the Ministry, as on 28.03.2017, the details of habitations and population dependent on wells and other traditional sources for drinking water are at Annexure-I.
(b) & (c) As per data entered by the States in the IMIS of this Ministry, as on 27.03.2017, state wise detail of coverage of habitations for 40 litres per capita per day and piped water supply are at Annexure-II.
(d) As per Strategic Plan in the NRDWP guidelines for the rural drinking water sector for the period 2011-2022, which stresses on extending the piped water supply to more households in the rural areas,the interim goal till 2017 is to cover 50% of all rural households with piped water supply. By 2022, the goal is to cover 90% of rural households with piped water supply. This Ministry has taken following steps to ensure the availability of safe drinking water to all in rural areas of the country:
i. All states can utilize up to 67% of total National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) fund to provide safe drinking water in rural areas.
ii. 5% of NRDWP fund has been earmarked for water quality to ensure the availability of safe drinking water.
iii. In 2016-17, Rs. 814.13 crore has been released under National Water Quality Sub-mission programme for various ongoing schemes covering Arsenic and Fluoride affected habitations.
iv. In March 2016, NITI Aayog has provided Rs. 1000 crore to various states for immediate solutions in Arsenic and Fluoride affected habitations like installation of community water purification plants to ensure at least 8 to 10 litres of drinking water or for last mile connectivity in these areas.
v. States have been allowed to take up new scheme in arsenic and fluoride affected areas.
vi. States have been advised to take up surface water based projects with external aid from agencies like World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) etc. and through internal borrowings.