(a) the number of habitations and percentage of people with Piped Water Supply (PWS) facility in the country, State / UT-wise;
(b) whether lack of PWS is an important reason factor for non-usage of toilets and if so, the steps taken by the Government to ensure supply of PWS/tap in toilets;
(c) whether the Government has reduced the budgetary allocation for drinking water schemes and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(d) the manner in which the Government is likely to meet the expenditure to be incurred on sanction of major rural water supply projects in the country? |
| ANSWER |
MINISTER OF STATE FOR DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
(SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV)
(a) The number of habitations and percentage of people with Piped Water Supply (PWS) facility in the country, State / UT-wise is at Annexure.
(b) to (d) Sanitation is primarily a behavioural issue and the key factor for usage / non-usage of toilet is mindset. That is why, the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) focuses on behavioural change and involvement of community. Along with this, in order to ensure adequate availability of water for toilets, under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) {SBM-G}, the incentive for individual toilet has been increased from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 12,000, to provide for water availability, including for storing water for hand-washing and cleaning. The SBM (G) guidelines also provide for prioritization of conjoint programmes of sanitation and water to maximize the availability of water for sanitation purposes.
Rural drinking water supply is a State subject. This Ministry supplements the efforts of the States by providing them with technical & financial assistance under the centrally sponsored National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP), for providing safe & adequate drinking water facilities in rural areas of the country. To ensure the supply of drinking water through PWS / taps, States are advised to accord priority for PWS and encourage to take household tap connections by invoking people through extensive Information, Education & Communication (IEC).
Compared to budgetary allocation of Rs. 9250 crore (Revised Estimate) in 2014-15 under NRDWP, there is a decrease in allocation in 2015-16 which is Rs. 4373 crore (Revised Estimate) in view of enhanced devolution of funds to States under 14th Finance Commission. The allocation to the States under NRDWP is made as per pre-approved criteria as envisaged in the NRDWP guidelines. The States are vested with powers to select, plan, approve and implement drinking water supply schemes. In view of the reduced allocation States have been advised to allocate more funds from State resources and / or mobilize the funds from external / internal lending agencies. |
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