Lok Sabha Question No. 1169 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-09
Subject: Health Hazards due to Arsenic Contamination
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: BHARAT SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1169 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH FEBRUARY, 2018

## HEALTH HAZARD S DUE TO ARSENIC CON TAMINATION

## 1169. SHRI BHARAT SINGH:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of special facilities being provided/proposed to be provided by the Gover the users of arsenic water in Balia district of Uttar Pradesh;
- (b) whether the Governm ent is contemplating to provide treatment by the specialists in mob hospitals/  dispensaries  to  give  immediate  relief  to  the  patients  suffering  from  p associated with the use of arsenic water; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE ( SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL )

- (a): Rural drinking water supply is a state subject. For improving the coverage of safe d water to rural population, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation supplements the eff the  States  by  providing  them  with  technical  and  financial  assistant through  the  centrally sponsored National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP). It is the State Government who  plan,  design,  approve,  execute  and  operate  &  maintain  the  schemes  for  providing drinking  water  to  rural  population.  The  funds  provided  to  t he  States  under  NRDWP  can  be utilized for coverage and tackling water quality problems with priority to arsenic and affected habitations.

To deal with arsenic and fluoride contamination, Government of India had released 1,000  Crore  in  March,  20 16  for  community  water  purification  plants  and  for  the  last  mil connectivity of surface water based piped water supply schemes in West Bengal and Rajast Rs  13.39  Crore  was  released  to  Government  of  Uttar  Pradesh  for  installation  of  Commun Water  Pur ification  Plants.  As  on  date,  12  Community  Water  Purification  Plants  have  be installed in Balia District of Uttar Pradesh.

Contd…………

Further, the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation has launched the National W Quality Sub - mission (NWQSM ) on 22 nd March, 2017 under NRDWP to provide safe drinking water to about 28,000 arsenic/fluoride affected habitations over a span of 4 years. Duri -17,  Rs  26.31  Crore  has  been  released  under  NWQSM  to  Government  of  Uttar  Pradesh  to complete 47 ongoin g schemes. Out of 47 ongoing schemes, 05 schemes are in Balia District.

(b) & (c): Ministry  of  Health  and  Family  Welfare  has  issued  guidelines  for  'Detection, Prevention & Management of Arsenicosis in India' to the Arsenic affected States including U ttar Pradesh  for  taking  necessary  action.  These  Guidelines  are  meant  for  sensitizing  the Programme  Managers  and  for  training  of  Health  functionaries  such  as  Medical  Office Paramedical staff etc. in the affected States and Districts. Treatment fac ilities for the community is provided at the existing PHCs, CHCs, District Hospitals and no separate facility for affected by Arsenic in water has been created.

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