The Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation Shri Bharatsinh Madhavsinh Solanki chaired the National Consultations with State Ministers incharge of Rural Drinking Water Supply in New Delhi today.  In his address to the Ministers of State Governments incharge of Rural Drinking Water, Secretaries and officials of State Governments, representatives of Ministries of Central Government, representatives of multilateral agencies and non-governmental organisations, Shri Bharatsinh Solanki said that provision of adequate and safe drinking water supply in rural areas is one of the fundamental responsibilities of the Governments, both at the State as well as the Central levels.

The text of the Speech by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation Shri Bharatsinh Madhavsinh Solanki is as follows:

“You may be aware of the Census 2011 figures that indicate that nearly 85% of the rural population get drinking water from safe sources like handpumps, tap water and covered wells. The remaining 15% of households depend on uncovered wells and other unimproved sources like rivers, springs, ponds etc. Covering them with improved sources should be our priority. Moreover, about 22% of rural households have to fetch drinking water from sources that are more than 500 meters away from their premises. There are a high percentage of such households in the States of Manipur, Tripura, Orissa, Meghalaya Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh. We should identify, by getting information from Census Office, the villages where households have to travel more than 500 meters to fetch water and villages where households are dependent on unimproved sources of drinking water and cover such villages/habitations on the highest priority.

It is a matter of concern that only 30.80% of rural households have access to tap water. Major States like Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh lag behind in the coverage with tap water supply.

It is also a fact that about 85% of all drinking water sources in the rural areas of the country are based on underground sources. In many areas, cases of chemical contamination of drinking water supply with contaminants like Arsenic, Fluoride and Uranium and in recent times, man-made pollution with heavy metals and pesticides is coming to the fore. After trying various treatment technologies, it is increasingly clear to us that the safest and most durable long term solution is to provide the affected population with piped water supply from uncontaminated sources even if distant.

In the 12th Five Year Plan, we will have to give emphasis on ensuring satisfactory service delivery. Though there have been large investments in the sector, and many water supply schemes set up, we have to ensure that commissioned schemes do not slip back to nonfunctional status. This often happens due to poor Operation and Maintenance of water supply systems, non availability of affordable and dependable power supply with many States charging commercial rates for rural pumping stations and fluctuations in voltage and frequency. These need urgent attention at the State level. In this connection, I would request the States to provide electricity for rural drinking water supply schemes atleast those run by Gram Panchayats at domestic rates, if not at agricultural rates. This will help Gram Panchayats to provide continuous drinking water supply.

I would also suggest that States adopt an Operation and Maintenance policy laying down the provisions for ensuring continuous operation and maintenance of rural drinking water supply schemes. India is fast becoming a water stressed country. It is the need of the hour to focus on improving water use efficiency in all sectors including in drinking water sector. States should take up water audits (including such audits for water being used for agriculture and industry), install bulk and individual water meters and mandate installation of water efficient fixtures. There is also a need to have more water efficient buildings and structures having technologies which minimize the use of water. We can think of stopping leaking taps and having push button taps, having rain water harvesting on building roofs, use of recycled water, etc. Over the past decade, we have had increased investment in the drinking water sector. From about Rs. 2000 crore in 2002-03, the investment has increased in the Bharat Nirman period to Rs.10,500 crore in 2012-13.

The Government of India is bringing about a major paradigm shift in the National Rural Drinking Water Programme in the XIIth Five Year plan period, to fulfill the rising expectations of the rural population. This shift includes firstly, proposing to increase the service levels of providing drinking water supply to rural areas from 40 litres per capita per day (lpcd) to 55 lpcd. The 40 lpcd norm is in place since 1972 and all States have been asked to start planning for a higher level of water supply. With this we will begin to bridge the gap somewhat in service levels between urban areas and rural areas. Under NRDWP States have the flexibility to fix their own supply norms. I would therefore urge States to target 55 lpcd norm for all future rural drinking water supply schemes. This can enable higher level of household connections, thereby reducing the burden on women and girls in fetching water from handpumps and public taps and reducing risk of contamination.

Secondly, looking at the fact that there is over extraction of ground water in most parts of the country, due to requirements of drinking, agriculture and industry, we have decided in principle to shift the focus away from ground water to surface water. We have to therefore reduce our dependence on groundwater by adopting conjunctive use of surface, rain and ground water. In this regard, we hope that more surface water sources will be tapped to ensure sustainable water supply in water stressed and quality affected areas. I urge all States to look at this seriously.

To assist States affected with Chemical contamination of drinking water, and those States which have cases of Japanese and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (JE/AES), we have made a provision under the NRDWP for an earmarked fund for Water Quality and have allocated 5% of the NRDWP funds for it. I would urge the affected States to utilise the funds released expeditiously and send proposals for release of the second installment.

The performance of States in utilizing the Support and the Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance Funds, both of which are meant to strengthen the software capacity and activities of States, and both of which are fully funded by the Government of India, is not satisfactory. I urge the States to plan to optimally utilize allocations under these components.

Awareness generation about protecting drinking water sources from contamination, regular testing of drinking water sources, conserving rainwater in tanks and ponds, water recharge, water saving devices, all have to be increased. This can be done only by intensive IEC campaigns and training of Panchayat representatives, engineers and water administrators.

My Ministry has identified Key Resource Centres to provide training on various aspects of rural drinking water sector. I request States to depute their engineers, PRI representatives and other participants to these training programmes and make full use of them. I also request States to identify their own State Key Resource Centres at State and district level to give training at district and block levels.

We have also written to States to make use of services of Regional and State offices of DAVP, PIB, Field Publicity, Song and Drama Division and the like, in addition to State Information and Publicity Departments for preparing Media Plans so as to ensure effective use of IEC funds.

Interpersonal communication is the most effective form of awareness generation. In this regard, I would like to bring to your notice that we have recently permitted States to give an incentive of Rs.75 per connection to ASHA workers for motivating households to take household tap connections. We, in collaboration with UNICEF are also going to prepare a Communication and Advocacy Strategy for providing a framework for planning and implementing IEC activities in rural drinking water sector.

We are preparing a World Bank assisted rural drinking water supply and sanitation project with an outlay of more than Rs. 5000 cr for promoting piped water supply and strengthen institutions and systems in this sector in the States of Assam, Bihar, and Jharkhand and Eastern UP. It is expected to make a fundamental change in the rural water supply sector in these States we hope to use the learning from this project in other similarly placed states.

An important initiative is the Project of setting up of a Solar powered Dual pump based water supply scheme in 10,000 habitations in 82 Integrated Action Plan districts in 9 States. This will bring piped water supply to habitations where power supply is not available. Some States are yet to send their proposals in this regard. I request them to send proposals immediately.

The Management Devolution Index (MDI) developed by my Ministry to measure the depth of devolution of functions, funds and functionaries in rural drinking water sector to Panchayats has now become a best practice and an example to different Ministries of Govt of India for their own developmental programmes. States which have devolved authority to the PRIs shall get higher allocation. I urge States to devolve more and more funds and functions to PRIs so that they can play a greater role in managing their own drinking water supply.

My Ministry is making all efforts to obtain higher resource allocation for rural drinking water supply considering the large demand. In this effort, our hands will be strengthened if States utilise the available funds expeditiously and submit the required audit certificates and documents. I request Hon Ministers of States to direct their officers to carefully send all the required documents to enable release of funds without delay.

I invite you all to provide inputs and suggestions that can improve the way we administer the drinking water programme.

In conclusion, I would like to call upon State governments to come forward and strengthen not only the infrastructure in the rural water supply but also carry out related software and extension activities effectively so that we are able to provide our rural population with adequate and safe drinking water supply on a sustainable basis.”

The Secretary Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation Shri Pankaj Jain said in his opening remarks that States should comply with Supreme Court’s order regarding coverage of schools with Water Supply and send reports on 1^st March, 15^th March and 31^st March 2013.

He said that the Consultation with State Secretaries in New Delhi on 18/02/2013 made following Recommendations:

·         States should consider adopting Ranney Well technology wherever feasible so as to reduce over dependence on ground water and shift to surface water use as drinking water source. Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand have expressed willingness.

·         Time bound system has to be put in place for obtaining permission from Railways and from National Highways for water pipe lines crossing them. Gujarat and Kerala should write to MDWS regarding this to enable us to take it up with the concerned Ministries.

·         Inter-ministerial coordination is required for use of water resources by agriculture and industry by various Ministries so as to protect the provision for drinking water.

·         A discussion was held on the use of R.O plants and the concept of ATW (ATW) plants in villages. R O plants can be set up where alternative safe surface water sources are not available in Arsenic/Fluoride and Salinity affected habitations.  Selection of the villages is important and environmental issues should be considered looking into the problem of reject management.

·         Card system for sanitary surveillance of drinking water can be adopted by States with suitable modifications to make it more practical and make the assessment process more reliable. 

·         IMMT Bhubaneswar has transferred terafil technologies to 200 agencies which may be used for tackling iron contamination.

·         O & M model report of WSP-World Bank can be studied. State can adapt the available models to suit specific requirement of schemes and the State context.

·         Further a study of different O & M models followed in the country needs to be done and a report prepared to guide States.

·         States should comply with Supreme Court’s order regarding coverage of schools with Water Supply and send reports on 1^st March, 15^th March and 31^st March 2013.

·         A panel of hydrogeologists to be prepared by MDWS for use of any States who are unable to obtain services of hydrogeologists on hire.

·         Discussion was held on the role of Key Resource Centers and the need to involve them in IEC activities and in practical demonstrations of models and good practices.

·         The health consequences of the quality problems of drinking water need to be monitored. Therefore the profiling of diseases and its geographical distribution needs to be linked with quality testing results. The MDWS should set up a Committee to strengthen the monitoring of health impacts of drinking water and linkage with water quality monitoring.

·         The Andhra Pradesh model of sub divisional labs is a cost effective one and can be considered by other States for adoption.

·         It was observed that many States have not utilized the funds available especially the Support Fund and the Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance Fund.  States need to look at those activities urgently.

·         The Ministry should empanel agencies/experts for taking up IEC activities at the State level.

·         There is a need for a Communication Strategy for Rural Drinking Water Supply, similar to the Advocacy and Communication Strategy finalized for Sanitation last year. The methodology of use of messages including publicity as well as inter-personal communication mechanism has to be clearly spelt out.

YSKataria