Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation

The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, now known as the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, is a department under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. It was formed in 2011 with the objective of providing safe and adequate drinking water and sanitation facilities to all citizens of India. The ministry is responsible for the implementation of several flagship programs, including the Swachh Bharat Mission and the Jal Jeevan Mission.

History and Formation

The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation was formed in 2011 by merging the Department of Drinking Water Supply and the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) under the Ministry of Rural Development. The merger was aimed at providing a more focused and integrated approach to the challenges of water and sanitation in the country.

In 2019, the ministry was merged with the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation to form the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation now functions under this ministry.

Objectives and Functions

The main objectives and functions of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation are as follows:

• To provide safe and adequate drinking water to all rural households in the country.
• To promote sustainable sanitation practices and eliminate open defecation in rural areas.
• To improve the quality of life and health outcomes in rural communities through better water and sanitation facilities.
• To promote community participation and ownership in the planning, implementation, and maintenance of water and sanitation projects.
• To promote research and innovation in the water and sanitation sector, and to develop and disseminate best practices and technologies.
• To monitor and evaluate the progress of water and sanitation programs and projects, and to provide technical and financial support to states and local governments.

Major Programs and Initiatives

The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation has launched several programs and initiatives over the years to achieve its objectives. Some of the major programs are as follows:

• Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen): Launched in 2014, the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) is a flagship program of the Government of India aimed at achieving universal sanitation coverage and improving cleanliness and hygiene in rural areas.
• Jal Jeevan Mission: Launched in 2019, the Jal Jeevan Mission is a program aimed at providing functional household tap connections to all rural households in the country by 2024.
• National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP): Launched in 2009, the NRDWP is a program aimed at providing safe and adequate drinking water to all rural households in the country.
• Swajal Scheme: Launched in 2018, the Swajal Scheme is a community-managed drinking water program aimed at providing sustainable and affordable drinking water to rural communities.

Achievements and Impact

The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation has made significant progress in the provision of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities to rural communities in India. Some of the key achievements and impacts are as follows:

• Open Defecation-Free (ODF) India: In 2019, the Swachh Bharat Mission achieved its target of constructing 111 million toilets and declaring all villages in the country as ODF.
• Improved Access to Safe Drinking Water: The National Rural Drinking Water Programme and other initiatives have led to a significant increase in the access to safe drinking water in rural areas.
• Improved Health Outcomes: The provision of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities has led to a significant improvement in health outcomes in rural communities.
• Women Empowerment: The construction of household toilets and the provision of safe drinking water has had a significant impact on the lives of women and girls in rural communities

The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation has made significant progress in the provision of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities to rural communities in India. Through its various programs and initiatives, such as the Swachh Bharat Mission and the Jal Jeevan Mission, the department has achieved several milestones, such as the declaration of all villages as open defecation-free and the provision of tap connections to millions of rural households.