Question : Role of NGOs in Providing Drinking Water

(a) whether Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have significant participation in providing potable water to citizens of the country;
(b) if so, the details of NGOs engaged in the said field, State/UT-wise including Chhattisgarh;
(c) the details of financial assistance provided by the Union Government under the drinking water schemes including Chhattisgarh during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;
(d) whether the Government is encouraging NGOs for their active participation in implementation of these schemes; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
(SHRI RAMESH CHANDAPPA JIGAJINAGI)

(a) & (b) No Madam. Rural Water Supply is a State subject. Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation under the Centrally Sponsored National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) provides financial & technical assistance to State Governments for rural drinking water supply. States Governments are vested with the power to plan, design, approve and implement rural drinking water supply schemes after getting the same approved by the State Level Scheme Sanctioning Committee (SLSSC). Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation neither releases funds to any NGO directly nor is any such proposal under consideration of this Ministry.

(c) The State/UT-wise details of financial assistance provided by the Union Government under the drinking water schemes including Chhattisgarh during each of the last three years and the current year are at Annexure.

(d) & (e) Under NRDWP, though funds are not directly released to any NGO, various Information Education Communication (IEC), Human Resources Developing (HRD) activities, public awareness campaigns related to usage of safe drinking water, water conservation, levying of tariffs from community, water security / rain water harvesting, State Governments may engage the services of NGOs working in this sector at State, district block or village level.