Lok Sabha Question No. 599 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-13
Subject: Failure to Meet Targets under NRDWP
Ministry: DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
Asked by: SURESH KODIKUNNIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.599 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2018

## Failure to Meet Targets under NRDWP

## 599. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the Minister of DRINKINGWATER AND SANITATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government are seized of the audit report from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India that the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) despite spending 90 per cent of Rs. 89,956 crore of budgetary allocations over five years up to 2017, has failed to achieve its intended targets and objectives, if so, the details thereof;

(b)   whether   the   National   Rural   Drinking   Water   Programme   with   anobjective   of providing 35 per cent of rural households with water connections and 40 litre of water per person per day is yet to be achieved;

(c) if yes, the reasons therefor;

(d)  whether the Government proposes to conduct an enquiry into the inefficiencies reported and reassess the contract management component of the programme; and (e) if yes, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION

## (SHRI RAMESH CHANDAPPA JIGAJINAGI)

(a) Rural drinking water supply is a state subject and this Ministry provides assistance to State government for improving the coverage of safe drinking water in rural areas.

The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Performance audit of NRDWP was shared with the states on 21st August 2018, and the states were asked to take necessary corrective and preventive action on the points raised in the report and submit an action taken report to MDWS. Further, a reminder was sent to states on 8th November 2018 for the same. MDWS is continuously following up with states on this subject.

- (b) & (c) Taking individual household connections is demand based under National Rural   Drinking   Water   Programme   (NRDWP).   State   Governments   are   however empowered  to   provide   household   connections   using   funds   provided   under   14 th Finance Commission as well as from funds provided directly to rural local bodies. As

reported  by   the   States   till   10.12.2018   in   website   of   the   Ministry,   54.10%   rural population are covered with piped water supply through Public Stand Post and out of which 17.88% rural household has been provided with household connection.

- (d) & (e) Rural Water Supply is a State subject. However, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS) assists State Government for improving the coverage of safe drinking water in rural areas by providing financial & technical assistance  through National   Rural   Drinking   Water   Programme   (NRDWP). State   Governments   are responsible of planning, designing and execution of drinking water supply schemes as well   as   management   of   all   contracts   /   schemes.   However,   to   improve   the implementation of NRDWP, Ministry has restructured it in November 2017 by making it competitive, result oriented and outcome based.