Lok Sabha Question No. 2058 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-11
Subject: PACS for Rural Water Supply Works in Surat
Ministry: COOPERATION
Asked by: Shri Mukeshkumar Chandrakaant Dalal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COOPERATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2058 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 th  March, 2025

## PACS for Rural Water Supply Works in Surat

## 2058.  Shri Mukeshkumar Chandrakaant Dalal:

Will the Minister of Cooperation (सहकारिता मंत्री) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any steps have been taken by the Ministry for the role of PACS for rural water supply related works, particularly in Surat district, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the State has any role for successful implementation of this initiative, if so, the details of the projects undertaken by respective States;
- (c) the details about budget allocation for PACS including expenditure details; and
- (d) the  manner  in  which  the  rural  households  and  people  are  getting  benefitted  from  this scheme  in  the  last  three  years  and  how  this  initiative  is  cooperating  with  Jal  Jeevan Mission?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF COOPERATION सहकारिता मंत्री (SHRI AMIT SHAH)

(a) and (b): Yes,  Sir.  The  Ministry  of  Cooperation  in  consultation  with  Department  of Drinking  Water  &  Sanitation,  GoI  has  taken  the  initiative  to  allow  PACS  for  carrying  out Operation  and  Maintenance  (O&M)  of  piped  water  supply  schemes  in  rural  areas  under National Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).

The successful implementation of this initiative relies on the cooperation of State government as States are required to incorporate enabling provisions in their Operation and Maintenance (O&M) policies/ guidelines and identify suitable PACS and ensure their capacity building for undertaking O&M works under rural piped water supply schemes.

The State of Gujarat has modified the O&M guidelines and has identified a total of 81 PACS to carry out O&M of piped water supply schemes in rural areas, including one PACS in the Surat district. As per information received from States/ UTs, 934 PACS have been identified/ selected by 13 States/ UTs for this initiative, the State-wise details of which are attached at Annexure . Further, a Pilot Project has been initiated by the State of Madhya Pradesh in Dhar District, where one  PACS  has  been  authorized  to  collect  water  taxes  on  behalf  of  the  Gram  Panchayat  on commission basis. (c): Under the National Jal Jeevan Mission of D/o Drinking Water and Sanitation, GoI, five percent  of  annual  allocation  to  the  States  is  allocated  for  support  activities  fund  and  2%  of allocation to the States can be utilized for carrying out Water Quality Monitoring & Surveillance activities. PACS functioning as Pani Samiti can also get benefit from the same. The initiative intends to benefit rural households through improved piped water supply services,  reduced  operational  disruptions,  and  enhanced  water  availability  through  PACS-led O&M activities. These efforts complement the Jal Jeevan Mission by ensuring sustainable and

(d): efficient water service delivery to rural households.

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## Annexure

PACS Identified for O&M under Rural Piped Water Supply - State-wise status

| S. No.   | States / UTs             |   PACS identified for O&Mservice |
|----------|--------------------------|----------------------------------|
| 1        | Jharkhand                |                              145 |
| 2        | Tripura                  |                              140 |
| 3        | Manipur                  |                              113 |
| 4        | Sikkim                   |                              107 |
| 5        | Jammu &Kashmir           |                              100 |
| 6        | Punjab                   |                               98 |
| 7        | Gujarat                  |                               81 |
| 8        | Uttarakhand              |                               60 |
| 9        | Chhattisgarh             |                               33 |
| 10       | Madhya Pradesh           |                               26 |
| 11       | Maharashtra              |                               20 |
| 12       | Assam                    |                               10 |
| 13       | Andaman &Nicobar Islands |                                1 |
|          | Total                    |                              934 |