Tap Water Shortage in Schools despite “100-day special campaign”

What is the News?

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources provided information that only half of the government schools and anganwadis have a tap water supply. It is despite a 100-day special campaign by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Centre’s 100-day Special Campaign:

• Launched by: On 2nd October 2020, the Ministry of Jal Shakti had launched the 100-day Special Campaign.
• Aim: It aims to provide a 100% potable piped water supply for drinking and cooking purposes. And tap water for washing hands and in toilets in every school, Anganwadi and ashram shala, or residential tribal school.
• Why was the campaign launched? The campaign was launched as children are more susceptible to water-borne diseases. Moreover, there is also a need for repeated washing of hands as a precautionary measure during the pandemic.
• Duration: The campaign was to end on January 10, 2021. However, it has been extended till March 31, 2021, as some States/ UTs have asked for more time to complete the task.

What has been achieved so far?

• Seven States — Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Punjab have achieved 100% coverage.
• Around 1.82 lakh greywater management structures and 1.42 lakh rainwater harvesting structures were also constructed in schools and Anganwadi centres.

What more needs to be done?

• Tap water supply in schools and Anganwadis: Only half of the government schools(53.3%) and Anganwadi’s(48.5%) have a tap water supply.
• Tap Water Supply in States: Tap water supply is only available in less than 8% of schools in Uttar Pradesh, 11% in West Bengal, and 2-6% of Anganwadi’s in Assam, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Bengal.

Source: The Hindu