Allocation in budget not adequate for drinking water department: Birender Singh

NEW DELHI: Funds allocated for the Drinking Water Department in the budget for 2015-16 are not adequate, Minister for Rural Development, Sanitation and Drinking Water Chaudhary Birender Singh said today and hoped to raise finances through other sources.

He said proposed cess, Swachch Bharat Kosh and higher devolution of funds to states under the 14th Finance Commission award would make up for the shortfall in the funds allocated in the budget.

He stated this in Lok Sabha while replying to a debate on Demand for Grants for the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation which was later passed by voice vote.

Singh said the government is committed to provide potable drinking water to 95 per cent of village population and build six crore toilets by 2019 amid its assertion that funds will not be a constraint.

"The Budget allocation is not upto the expectation," the minister said.

At the same time, he asserted that funds would not be a constraint as the Swachch Bharat Kosh is likely to mop up as much as Rs 20,000 crore by way of contribution from corporates and other entities and the money would be utilised for construction of toilets in the rural areas.

Besides, Singh added, the proposed cess on the Service Tax and higher devolution of taxes to the states would help in reaching drinking water and sanitation facilities throughout the country.

The 14th Finance Commission has increased the share of states in central taxes from 32 per cent to 42 per cent.

As part of the cleanliness drive launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, six crore toilets would be constructed by 2019, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

The minister said in the last four months as many as 37 lakh toilets were constructed in rural areas and the target would be to construct one crore toilets every year.