Expressing dismay over the supply of pure drinking water in the country, the Estimates Committee of Parliament on Wednesday recommended the Government to fix norms of potable water availability in urban and rural areas with specific timeline. The panel, headed by senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, also suggested for comprehensive water mapping and submitting an annual report to Parliament on the ‘State of Water in India’.
Joshi rued the fact that even after 67 years of Independence, the basic objective of a welfare state to provide safe drinking water has not been achieved. The report pointed out that no tangible results were achieved in drinking water supply in the country, “despite infusion of a massive investment of `1.65 lakh crore”.
“We have said in the report that India will become a water scarce country in near future, hence water mapping is necessary. We have also asked the government to submit a report on the Status of Water in India in the Parliament so that a readymade data is made available and there is no blame-game within Centre, State and districts,” Joshi said, while addressing media, after tabling the report.
The panel suggested the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation should make well-coordinated and continuous affair and bring out annual Report on ‘State of water in India’ to submit before Parliament.
The Estimates Committee also suggested providing a free simple test kit, to be developed by CISR for common people to test the quality of drinking water. It also suggested for upgrading the water quality testing infrastructure.