There are about 28,000 arsenic/fluoride affected habitations in the country.

Union minister Uma Bharati informed parliament that the ministry of drinking water and sanitation had launched the National Water Quality Sub-Mission on 22nd March 2017 under National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) to provide safe drinking water to about 28,000 arsenic/fluoride affected habitations over a span of 4 years.

The minister said that rural drinking water supply is a state subject. For improving the coverage of safe drinking water to rural population, the ministry supplements the efforts of the states by providing them with technical and financial assistance through the centrally sponsored NRDWP.

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The funds provided to the states under NRDWP can be utilized for coverage and tackling water quality problems with priority to arsenic and fluoride affected habitations.

The minister said that assessment of fluoride in drinking water is being done by the state governments through laboratory testing.

To deal with arsenic and fluoride contamination, with the recommendation of NITI Aayog, the government of India has released Rs 800 crore in March’ 2016 for commissioning community water purification plants in 1,327 arsenic and 12,014 fluoride affected habitations so that safe water for drinking and cooking needs is addressed immediately.

In addition, funds to the tune of Rs.100 crore each are also provided for tackling arsenic and fluoride problems in West Bengal and Rajasthan respectively for the last mile connectivity in commissioning surface water based piped water supply schemes.