The performance audit of the Centrally-sponsored scheme covered its implementation between 2012-13 and 2016-17 in 27 states.
The National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) of the government failed to meet its target of providing safe drinking water to all rural habitations, schools and anganwadis by December 2017, a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report revealed. The national auditor's report was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday. The performance audit of the Centrally-sponsored scheme covered its implementation between 2012-13 and 2016-17 in 27 states.
Against a target of providing 50 per cent of rural population with piped water supply at 55 litres per capita day and at least 35 per cent of rural households with water connections, the actual achievement was only 18.4 per cent and 16.8 per cent respectively, the report said. Further, 44 per cent schools and 85 per cent anganwadis were provided safe drinking water whereas the target was supply it to each one in rural habitations.
Escalation of costs, delays in implementation, abandoned projects and deficient planning and delivery framework in states were some of the major reasons for failure to meet targets, the CAG noted. "Most states (are) not framing water security plans or comprehensive annual action plans. The apex level national drinking water and sanitation council that was set up to coordinate and ensure convergence remained dormant during the period covered in the performance audit exercise," the report said.
"Availability of funds for the programme decreased from 2013-14 to 2016-17. The allocated funds too could not be fully utilized," the report added.
The CAG noted that lack of proper site investigations, poor contract management and enforcement of contractual terms resulted in works remaining incomplete, abandoned and non-operational. This led to a additional financial implication of Rs.2,212.44 crore.
The CAG audit involved a survey of gram sabha, villages and habitations. The institutional arrangements at Gram Sabha and village level were surveyed along with their involvement in planning and implementation in the programme.
SC SCHOLARSHIPS
The CAG accused five states of poor planning in disbursement of post-matric scholarships for Scheduled Castes (SC) students. It has been found that instead of disbursing money to the students, the states diverted funds from it for maintenance of e-scholarship portal or purchase of stationary etc.
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