WE THE PEOPLE
Investment of huge sums in several WS Schemes without identification of dependable sources has resulted in their failures
Hence people demand probe, urge authorities to uphold WHO standards to ensure safe water to consumers
By: M. Shirjeel
SRINAGAR: No Water Supply (WS) Scheme can prove productive if its source is not dependable and perennial in nature. There are reports that several Schemes have failed due to faulty sources, bringing not only the beneficiaries to hardships but caused losses worth crores of rupees to the State Exchequer. Besides there are reports that untreated water is supplied to people, especially in rural areas.
As a matter of fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) has prescribed standards for drinking water to ensure safety to human beings all over the globe. Much stress has been laid on maintaining cleanliness of water so that it is free from impurities and fit for human consumption. In this background, the Government of India introduced the Accelerated the Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP) in 1972-73 to supplement the efforts of State Governments with cent percent grant-in-aid. In 1986 the programme was given a Mission approach with the creation of National Drinking Water Mission, which was renamed as Rajiv Gandhi Drinking Water Mission in 1991. Since the continued implementation of the programme could not achieve the targeted objectives due to inadequate funds and surfacing of `not covered’ habitations, the programme was further revamped in the year 2000 for implementation under ARWSP-normal programme and its Sub-Missions, Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme-Desert Development Progrmame, Special Assistance that is Prime Minister’s Package under Kandi Action Plan and other support services to ensure coverage of all rural habitations, especially to reach the unreached with access to safe drinking water.
Throwing the prescribed guidelines to winds, it has surfaces that execution of 23 water supply schemes have turned unproductive as their sources had not been identified properly which has resulted in wasteful expenditure of Rs. 12.26 crores. Moreover incomplete water supply schemes were to be prioritized over new schemes to avoid delay and cost overrun. There was cost escalation of Rs.91.57 crore due to non-prioritization. Besides financial liability of Rs.3.81 crore was created due to execution of works without availability of funds. This is a serious administrative and financial lapse. Had the concerned officials been conscious of their assigned jobs, they would not have indulged into such activities. The State Government is equally responsible as it lost Central Assistance of Rs.41.51 crore due to shortfall in its matching share under Minimum Needs Programme and excessive closing balance. Moreover, it is disheartening to observe that the audit has observed in the implementation of ARWSP covering the period of 2002-2007, expenditure has not been booked properly. As a matter of fact, the Government of India had laid down guidelines for release of funds to implementing agencies within 15 days from their receipt by the State Government. The audit has observed delays, ranging between 30 and 210 days in release of funds by the Departments during 2002-2007. Delayed releases have resulted in not only non-utilization of programme funds, but also slowed down the implementation of the programme. A test check of the records of three Divisions has revealed that eight schemes had not been completed due to non-utilization of funds released for these schemes.
Hence people demand probe, urge authorities to uphold WHO standards to ensure safety to humans. The authorities must follow the prescribed norms laid down by WHO for drinking water and take-up schemes for execution after ascertaining perennial sources so that these do not dry up as has happened in case of 23 water supply schemes in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Apart from such failed Schemes, more failed Schemes in Pulwama district have come to light. The authorities must remember that quality of water has direct bearing upon human health and as such its purity has to be maintained at all costs. They must also remember that any amount spent on any Development Project is taxpayer’s money, which needs to be expended with utmost care and caution.
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