Question : Funds for Rural Water Supply

(a) whether the CAG’s latest audit report has pointed out adversely regarding the action/measures being taken by the Government for ensuring the enhanced availability of required funds for rural water supply schemes to achieve the target of providing safe and adequate drinking water to all households;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether funds were routed through State Water and Sanitation Missions (SWSMs) and if so, the details thereof;
(d) if not, whether the Government proposes to enforce routing of programme funds, through SWSMs to implementing agencies and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Government ensures that the interest earned for the rural water programme is depicted in the programme funds and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA)

(a) & (b) It is stated in the report of the CAG on Performance Audit of National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) for the period 2012–17,that Ministry’s expectations that States would be able to compensate for reduced Central allocation by increasing their own financial commitment to the scheme taking into account the increased devolution based on the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission,was belied.
(c) As per the NRDWP Guidelines, 2009, fund was released to the State Water and Sanitation Missions (SWSM) till 2013-14. However, from 2014-15 onwards, funds were being routed through the State Government with a stipulation that these funds including State share would be transferred to SWSM within 15 working days.
(d) For the year 2019-20, the first installment of fund under Jal Jeevan Mission (erstwhile NRDWP) was released to the StateGovernments with a stipulation that the same along with State matching share would be transferred to State nodal account within 15 working days.
(e) Yes, Sir. State Governments are required to indicate the interestaccrued under the programme fund and the same is to be utilized to achieve the programme objective.
****