New Delhi,28 May:The Year 2008 is the International Year of Sanitation as declared by the United Nations and India will host the South Asian Conference on Sanitation (SACOSAN) to be held in November this year. Addressing a Press Conference at Delhi, the Union Minister for Rural Development, Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh detailed about the outcome of the two-day meet of State Secretaries incharge of rural drinking water supply and sanitation to review the implementation of rural drinking water and sanitation programmes and to discuss various related issues.
Drinking Water Security
Sustainability of water sources and convergence among various programmes to achieve drinking water security is of utmost importance, he said and called upon the states to incentivise the community efforts to achieve drinking water security by taking over full responsibility of management, operation and maintenance of water supply schemes and drinking water sources in the villages by instituting a suitable award, viz. the Sajal Gram Puraskar. A National Rural Drinking Water Quality Monitoring & Surveillance Programme was launched in 2006 by providing 100% funds as grants to the States training 5 persons in each Gram Panchayats to carry out water testing and to keep surveillance on drinking water so that water borne diseases could be prevented.
ARWSP
The Minister said that the six components of Bharat Nirman initiative started in the 2005-06, inter-alia included rural drinking water. During Bharat Nirman period, 6.03 lakh habitations are to be covered and/or addressed for water quality problem. During 2007-08, Rs. 6,426 crore under the accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP) had been provided to States. During 2008-09, part of 1st instalment was released to States on 1st April itself so that there was no paucity of funds. Since 2006-07, revised Sub-mission on water quality has been launched to tackle water quality problems.
Similarly, under the 12th Finance Commission recommendations, Rs. 20,000 crore had been allocated to PRIs out of which 50% funds have been earmarked for operation and maintenance of water supply and sanitation and under Bharat Nirman, all water quality affected habitations are to be addressed by March, 2009. A high Powered Technical Expert Group (TEG) to examine various emerging issues in drinking water and sanitation sector and suggest measures to tackle the new challenges had also been set up under the Chairmanship of founder Mission Director and ex-Chief of Water & Sanitation, UNICEF, Shri Gourishankar Ghosh.
The Minister said during the Bharat Nirman period, 55,067 un-covered and about 3.31 lakh slipped-back habitations were to be covered and 2.17 lakh quality-affected habitations were to be addressed. (total 6.03 lakh habitations).During 2007-08, as per information received from States/ UTs upto February, 2008, 1.55 lakh habitations have been covered/ addressed : 9,558 un-covered and 55,749 slipped-back habitations have been covered, and 90,172 quality-affected habitations have been reported to be addressed.
Dr. Singh said all Arsenic affected habitations have been addressed with projects and projects for most of the quality-affected habitations too have been approved. In 2007-08, more than 47,000 rural schools too have been covered. Out of total 8.53 lakh schools, only about 46 thousand rural schools are left, which will be covered by June, 2008. During 2007-08, Rs. 6,426 crore were provided to States for rural water supply.
Total Sanitation Campaign
The Minister also spoke of the Total Sanitation Campaign and appreciated the efforts of the States which have resulted in Sanitation coverage of 54% in 2008. All States were asked to release funds for the projects immediately to the Gram Panchayats for implementation. During review, it was ascertained that work has started in 88% of the Panchayats. Some of the States not having Panchayats like Jharkhand are facing some difficulty but have assured that work will start in the current year in all villages.
Mobilization of Gram Panchayats
The Nirmal Gram Puraskar has been a unique tool for mobilization of Gram Panchayats in seeking their active participation in the Sanitation Campaign. Till now, over 5000 Gram Panchayats have been awarded the Puraskar. All States were asked to ensure that all Block / Mandal Headquarters falling under rural panchayat area should be targeted on priority under TSC and should be able to apply for Nirmal Gram Puraskar within the year. This would have a great demonstrative effect for all other Gram Panchayats in the area.
Full Sanitation Coverage
Highlighting the need to achieve full sanitation coverage the Minister said that the states have been advised to devise statutory and administrative norms in this regard. He also laid stress on monitoring of works by States at district and Panchayat levels and said that instructions had been issued to ensure provision of 100 percent toilets provided in all IAY houses and rural schools. He repeatedly stressed on awareness and information and said that the last person in the village is the key to success for the Total Sanitation Campaign. He also spoke of the Guidelines provided for incentives to any motivator of the village like ASHA workers, Anganwadi Workers, School Teachers etc. for interpersonal motivation. Most of the States have been using this provision to provide for honorarium to such motivators. The Minister also suggested that States may look into the proposal to debar any person from contesting Panchayat elections if she/he does not have a toilet in his house. Sikkim informed that this direction has already been issued in the State. The States were also requested to examine the proposal that having a toilet in the house be made mandatory requirement for granting of PDS dealers.