Question : DRINKING WATER IN VILLAGES

(a) the details of schemes/projects under implementation, for providing safe drinking water to the rural folk;

(b) the details of the funds allocated and utilised during the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(c) whether any mechanism exists to ensure proper utilisation of funds provided under the scheme for supply of safe drinking water in rural areas;

(d) whether the Government has reviewed these schemes to assess their success/achievements;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the period by which the quality of drinking water in the villages in the country is likely to be improved?

MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT(SHRI VILASRAO DESHMUKH)

(a)to(f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

Statement referred to in the reply to part (a) to (f) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 117 admitted for reply on 03.03.2011

(a): Government of India administers the centrally sponsored scheme, National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP), through the States, for providing safe drinking water to the rural population. Under the programme, Government of India provides technical and financial assistance to the States in implementing rural water supply schemes. State Governments are competent to plan, approve and implement rural water supply schemes. Data entered by the states on the departmental online Integrated Management Information System (IMIS), regarding the number of schemes under implementation for rural drinking water supply is at Annexure I.

(b): A statement giving details of state-wise allocation, release and utilization of funds by the States during the last three years and the current year is attached at Annexure II.

(c): The department monitors the proper utilization of funds by reviewing the programme periodically by conducting meetings of the State Secretaries in charge of rural water supply, regional review meetings, video conferencing, etc. Senior officers/Area Officers/Technical officers of the Department visit the States to see the progress of implementation of the programme. Further, State Governments are required to prepare Annual Action Plans to implement schemes, works and activities under the Programme to cover un-covered and quality affected habitations on priority and also mark the targeted habitations in the online Integrated Management Information System (IMIS). The expenditure under the programme is also audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (C&AG).

(d)&(e): The department reviews the progress of implementation of the NRDWP through the online IMIS and periodic reviews conducted both at the national and state levels. The physical achievements of the NRDWP in the XIth Five year Plan period are at Annexure III.

(f): NRDWP funds can be used both for providing and augmenting access also to tackle problems of chemical and bacteriological contamination. 85% of the funds can be utilized for improving the quantity and quality of water supply in rural areas. Quantitative and qualitative issues are evaluated regularly and remedial steps taken on a continuous basis.