Clarification regarding diversion of Sustainability funds - May 2010

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Clarification regarding Diversion of Sustainability Funds 2010 is an official policy communication issued by the Department of Drinking Water Supply Ministry of Rural Development Government of India to clarify the permissible use of Sustainability Component funds under the National Rural Drinking Water Programme. The clarification was issued in response to requests received from several States seeking permission to divert funds earmarked for sustainability activities towards drinking water coverage and water quality interventions. The letter provides clear policy guidance on the circumstances under which such relaxation may be permitted while preserving the primary objective of ensuring long term sustainability of rural drinking water sources. The communication reiterates that under the National Rural Drinking Water Programme every State is required to prepare an annual sustainability plan for protecting and strengthening drinking water sources through suitable recharge structures conservation measures and scientific techniques. Twenty percent of the National Rural Drinking Water Programme allocation is earmarked as one hundred percent Central grant for implementing sustainability activities. These funds are intended to secure drinking water sources through groundwater recharge rainwater harvesting source protection and other sustainability measures that improve long term water availability. The document explains that some States requested flexibility to divert Sustainability Component funds to address drinking water quality problems and expand drinking water coverage. After examining these requests the Ministry decided that such relaxation would be permitted only for States classified as water surplus regions where the normal annual rainfall exceeds fifteen hundred millimetres but where serious drinking water quality issues such as iron arsenic or fluoride contamination exist. In such States the Sustainability Component may also support development of alternative water supply sources and treatment measures to improve access to safe drinking water. The clarification specifically states that no relaxation will be permitted for water deficit States where the normal annual rainfall is less than fifteen hundred millimetres. In these regions the Sustainability Component must continue to focus on groundwater recharge restoration of defunct bore wells protection of drinking water sources rainwater harvesting structures and other measures that strengthen long term water security. The Ministry emphasizes that maintaining source sustainability remains the highest priority in water scarce areas because reliable drinking water supply depends upon conserving and replenishing available water resources. Overall the document serves as an important administrative clarification for State Governments implementing the National Rural Drinking Water Programme. It balances the need to address drinking water quality challenges in water surplus regions while safeguarding investments in source sustainability in water deficit areas. The clarification supports consistent implementation of programme guidelines promotes scientific water resource management and ensures that Sustainability Component funds continue to contribute to secure and sustainable rural drinking water systems across the country.