Lok Sabha Question No. 2931 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-08
Subject: Drinking Water Crisis in Rajasthan
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Smt. Sanjna Jatav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. - 2931

ANSWERED ON 08/08/2024

## DRINKING WATER CRISIS IN RAJASTHAN

## † 2931.  SMT.  SANJNA JATAV

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware of the serious potable water crisis caused by the continuous fall in water level in various States of the country including Rajasthan;

(b) if  so,  the  details  of  the  schemes  being  implemented  by  the  Government  to  address  this situation;

(c) whether Bharatpur, Dholpur, Alwar districts of Rajasthan have been facing water crisis during the last five years;

(d) if so, whether the Government proposes to implement any special scheme for potable water in the said districts; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## (SHRI V. SOMANNA)

(a) to (e) Government of India is committed to the provision of safe and potable tap water supply in  adequate  quantity,  of  prescribed  quality  and  on  a  regular  &  long-term  basis  to  all  rural households in the country. Towards this end, the Government of India launched the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), to be implemented in partnership with States including Rajasthan, in August 2019. Drinking  Water  is  a  state subject, and  hence,  the  responsibility of  planning,  approval, implementation, operation, and maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, including those under the JJM, lies with State/UT Governments. The Government of India supports the states by providing technical and financial assistance.

JJM  follows  a  universal  saturation  approach  and  covers  all  rural  households  in  the  country including those in Bharatpur, Dholpur and Alwar districts of Rajasthan. Significant progress has been made in the country since the launch of JJM, towards enhancing access to tap water to rural households. At the start of mission in August 2019, only 3.23 crore rural households were reported to have tap water connections. So far, as reported by States/ UTs as on 05.08.2024, around 11.80 crore additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections under JJM. Thus, as  on  05.08.2024,  out  of  19.32  crore  rural  households  in  the  country,  more  than  15.04  crore (77.87%) rural households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes.

As reported by the State Government of Rajasthan, at the time of launch of JJM in the State on 15.08.2019, only 11.68 lakh rural households had tap water connections. Since then, 43.99 lakh additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections. Thus, as on 05.08.2024, out of 107.09 lakh rural households in the state, the provision of tap water supply is available to more than 55.68 lakhs (51.99%) rural households.

Further,  development  of  reliable  drinking  water  sources  and/  or  augmentation  of  existing sources to provide long-term sustainability of water supply system in villages, is an integral part of Jal Jeevan Mission. Provision has been made for the preparation of Village Action Plan (VAP) by village community, which inter alia includes strengthening of drinking water sources in convergence with other schemes such as MGNREGS, Finance Commission grants to rural local bodies/ PRIs, MP & MLA's Local Area Development Fund, District Mineral Development Fund, CSR fund, etc.

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