(a) whether the Union Government have taken any steps to implement the drinking water supply and sewerage disposal projects in various cities of Jammu and Kashmir;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any proposals are under consideration of the Union Government to include these projects in the Ninth Five Year Plan;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether the World Bank or any other agency has offered to extend assistance for these projects; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT & POVERTY ALLEVIATION ( SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA )
(a)&(b): Since drinking water supply and sewerage are State
subjects, it is the responsibility of the State Governments and
Urban Local Bodies to take necessary steps to provide these
facilities to the urban population. The Ministry of Urban
Development and Poverty Alleviation provides Central assistance
to the State Governments under the Accelerated Urban Water
Supply Programme (AUWSP) for towns of less than 20,000
population as pr 1991 Census and scheme of Low Cost Sanitation
(LCS) for Liberation of Scavengers.
Under the AUWSP, 4 towns of Jammu & Kashmir, namely,
Qazigund, Billawar, Bijbehara & Samba have been approved at a
total estimated cost of Rs.773.31 lakhs and Central share of
Rs.310.23 lakhs has been released to the State Govrnment upto
1999-2000.
Under the LCS scheme, 7 proposals were approved for 27
towns of Jammu & Kashmir at a total estimated cost of Rs.17.08
crores. Central subsidy of Rs.7.26 crores has been sanctioned
against which Rs.2.16 crores only has been released so far
through the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO).
(c)&(d): There are no proposals pending for inclusion in the
Ninth Five Year Plan. However, Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir has
sought external assistance from the Middle East funding Agencies
for the Jammu Sewerage Project Phase-II and Sewerage Project for
Greater Srinagar at an estimated cost of Rs.89.33 crores and
Rs.1060.84 crores respectively. The State Government has been
advised to furnish financing plan and commitment to provide
adequate counterpart funds after updating the project
feasibility reports. Further response from the State Government
is awaited.
(e): No, Sir.
(f): Does not arise.