DRINKING WATER SUPPLY IN RURAL INDIA: NEED FOR STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN

Water scenario in India has been now fast changing because of increasing population, rising demand for irrigation to raise high-yielding varieties of crops, rapid urbanization and industrialization, electricity generation, impact of global warming, erratic rainfall, among others. Water for Life Decade [2005-15] and the annual World Water Day being celebrated on March 22 every year has significance to create awareness among all stakeholders that water is finite, scarce, costly, precious and has competing demand. Water should, therefore, be efficiently managed for country's sustainable socio-economic development. Drinking water in India has been significantly dependent upon the monsoon rains and increased climate variability is expected to impact it. Despite Government's several initiatives the current drinking water scenario needs strategic action plan to ensure that safe and quality drinking water is delivered in rural India by 2022. It is in this context this article highlights the Government's initiatives, current scenario and performance under the rural drinking water supply system and suggests strategic action plan for efficient management of rural drinking water supply system.