DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION FACILITIES IN TRIBAL AND BACKWARD AREAS
DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION FACILITIES IN TRIBAL AND BACKWARD AREAS
To enable every rural household in the country, including those in tribal and backward areas, to have assured potable water, in adequate quantity of prescribed quality on regular and long-term basis, through tap water connection, since August 2019, Government of India in partnership with states, is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal.
JJM follows a universal approach for coverage of rural households. Further, while allocating the fund under JJM, 10% weightage has been assigned for rural SC/ ST population, so as to prioritize their coverage. Also, States/ UTs have been advised to prioritize the coverage of SC/ST concentrated villages. Further, 22% and 10% of annual allocation of fund under JJM is mandatorily earmarked for Development Action Plan for Scheduled Castes (DAPSC) and and Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST). State/ UT-wise & year-wise details of central releases and utilization under DAPSC and DAPST for the last three year and current year are at Annexure-I.
As reported by States, out of 215.65 lakh rural households in SC dominated habitations, as on date, more than 176.42 lakh (81.81%) households have been provided with tap water connection. Similarly, out of 216.43 lakh rural households in ST dominated habitations, as on date, more than 162.71 lakh (75.18%) households have been provided with tap water connection.
Further, Sanitation is a State Subject. Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) [SBM(G)] is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme and SBM(G) Phase II is being implemented by the State/UT Governments. Funds are allocated to the State/UT in a consolidated manner at the beginning of each financial year based on the projected demands by the States/UTs in their Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) and budget available at Centre during the financial year. Out of the allocated funds, 22% is earmarked for Development Action Plan for Scheduled Castes (DAPSC) and 10% is earmarked for Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST). State/UT-wise central share allocated, released and expenditure under SBM(G) during last 3 years under SBM(G) is at Annexure-II.
As per SBM(G) Phase-II Guidelines, States/UTs should conduct periodic evaluation studies on implementation of Phase-II of SBM(G). No assessment has been undertaken by DDWS in last 3 years for SBM(G), though periodic reviews at various levels are regularly taken by the Department to review progress of implementation and fund utilisation by States/UTs under the programme.
As per the data reported by all States/ UTs, a total of 18,790 complaints have been received by States/ UTs from different sources such as media reports, suo-moto cognizance, references from public representatives, citizens, grievance portal, etc. regarding financial irregularities and poor quality of works under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). As reported by the States/ UTs, action has been taken against 635 Departmental Officials, 1,020 contractors, and 155 Third Party Inspection Agencies (TPIAs). The State-wise details of complaints received and action taken against officials, contractors and third-party agencies are at Annexure-III. The departmental officials involved in irregularities are undergoing administrative action, including suspension, departmental inquiries, and issuance of charge sheets as per established procedures. In the case of contractors, actions taken include blacklisting or recommendation for blacklisting, termination of contracts, debarment, forfeiture of earnest money deposits and imposition of penalties, depending on the nature of violation. With regard to TPIAs, the concerned officials have been removed from empanelment, and in other cases, show-cause notices have been issued and recoveries initiated.
Furthermore, under JJM States/ UTs have been repeatedly advised to adopt a zero-tolerance approach toward any financial, procedural, or quality-related violations. All States/ UTs have been advised to ensure that every complaint is duly examined, field verification is carried out promptly, and all required disciplinary, contractual, and legal actions are taken without exception to uphold transparency and accountability of the mission.
In addition, the Department has undertaken several initiatives to strengthen monitoring and on-ground verification of water supply schemes, including joint inspections of schemes through State officials, Jal Adhayan Seva, and Jal Seva Aankalan, aimed at field verification and ensuring effective implementation of rural drinking water supply schemes under JJM.
The information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI V. SOMANNA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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