GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1695
TO BE ANSWERED ON 13/12/2021
ARSENIC AFFECTED AREAS
1695. LT.GEN. (DR.) D. P. VATS (RETD.):
SHRI VIJAY PAL SINGH TOMAR:
SHRI HARNATH SINGH YADAV:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) the steps being taken or proposed to be taken to ensure that all those living in areas affected

by Arsenic contaminated water get safe drinking water and are not affected by water-borne

diseases;

(b) the number of districts in States/ Union Territories of the country where these problems exist

and the details of districts/ places identified by Government in this connection; and

(c) the reasons for presence of Arsenic in the water and the details of the current status of the

decision taken earlier by Government to remove this problem?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

(SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

{{{(a) to (c) As informed by Central Ground Water Board,Arsenic contamination is

understood to be of geogenic origin, resulting from release of Arsenic from soil/ aquifer material

under conditions conducive to its dissolution from solid phase to liquid phase. To make

provision of potable tap water supply to every rural household in the country including Arsenicaffected habitations by 2024, since August, 2019, Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is being

implemented in partnership with States.

Under JJM, while allocating the funds to States/ UTs, 10% weightage is given to the population

residing in habitations affected by chemical contaminants which inter alia includes

Arsenic.Under JJM, while planning for potable tap water supply to households, priority is given

to quality-affected habitations.

As reported by States, as on date, State–wise number of habitations reported to have Arsenic

contamination in drinking water sources, is annexed.

To provide potable tap water in villages with water quality issues and non-availability of suitable

surface water source in nearby areas, under Jal Jeevan Mission, provisions have been made to

enable States/ UTs to consider bulk water transfer from safe surface water source(s) and take up

water distribution network. Since, planning, implementation and commissioning of piped water

supply scheme based on safe surface water source takes time, purely as an interim measure,

States/ UTs have been advised to install community water purification plants (CWPPs)

especially in Arsenic and Fluoride affected habitations to provide potable water to every

household at the rate of 8 – 10 litres per capita per day (lpcd) to meet their drinking and cooking

requirements.

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Annex

Annex referred in the reply to Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1695 due for reply on

13.12.2021.

Detail of Arsenic-affected habitations

 (as on 9.12.2021)