Union Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Drinking Water and Sanitation Chaudhary Birender Singh on Tuesday defended the recommendations of a parliamentary panel that “drastic” cuts in budgetary allocations will not have an “adverse” impact on Swachh Bharat Mission – Gramin and National Rural Drinking Water Programme. But experts claim that in reality the two schemes, which aim at providing safe drinking water and achieve 100 per cent sanitation in rural areas, will face several roadblocks, including financial hurdle, in its implementation by states.
The Standing Committee on Rural Development, which submitted its Demand for Grants 2015-16 report for Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation in Lok Sabha, has expressed concern over the issue.
“The committee expresses serious concern over drastic reduction in the budgetary allocation for the current financial year, which is Rs 12,100 crore less than the Revised Estimates (RE) of 2014-15,” the committee chaired by P Venugopal said.
Defending the findings of the report, the Rural Development Minister said, “I agree that budgetary allocation has been reduced for the Swachh Bharat Mission – Gramin and National Rural Drinking Water Programme. But there is nothing to worry about it as the states will get enough fund to implement the projects.”
Citing the recommendations of 14th Finance Commission to increase the state fund share from 32 per cent to 42 per cent, Singh said, “The states will have more funds after restructured fund allocation module. The Centre will also be giving funds directly to panchayats. Under the new system, each panchayat will get at least Rs 17 lakh per year for the purpose. Apart from this there are corporate social responsibility initiatives, which will also help in expediting the projects under Swachh Bharat Mission.”
“The committee finds the budgetary allocation of Rs 5,236 crore quite inadequate to meet the requirements and feel that this would definitely have an adverse impact on NRDWP and SBM-G and as a result, millions of people living in rural areas of the country will be affected,” it said.