Drinking Water ATM

Context

The process of getting drinking water for thousands of communities across India is now similar to the process of getting cash from ATMs. It is noteworthy that 82 crore people in the country who do not have access to pipe water and 70 percent of the total potable water available in the country have been contaminated due to the presence of pollutants.

Important point

• Given the challenge of safe drinking water, the government is increasingly recognizing the small water enterprises like ATM and water purification equipment as an alternative solution.
• A latest report released by the Safe Water Network (SWN) states that the government needs to spend Rs 44,000 crores on 2.2 lakh small water enterprises to provide safe drinking water to nearly 37 million people.
• Most of these are slums and huts (where the infrastructure is difficult to develop to provide pipe water) and rural areas with contaminated water sources.
• It has been said in the report that only a small portion of the structure providing water of pipes in setting up such enterprises has to be spent, as well as a policy change and at least double tariff is needed to ensure safe water interval Can help to reduce
• According to a recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) of India, only 18% of the rural population have access to potable water available by pipes, which means that by 2017 50% We have failed to provide safe drinking water to the people.

70% drinking water is contaminated

• According to the Earth Commission, India is ranked 120th out of 122 countries in the Water Quality Index. According to the index, 70% of the country's water has been contaminated.

What is water ATM?

• Many people who can afford RO (reverse osmosis system) buy them to purify the water. But many people are not able to afford the RO. Community purification plants work on water level at local level. Water ATM is a distribution system that can operate through coin, smart card or manual. Essentially it can be said that Water ATM is a community RO.

Forward path

• According to SWN, the number of community water treatment plants was 12,000 in 2014 which has increased to about 50,000 in 2018, as they have been included in government employment.
• According to official statistics, to reach the target of 100% piped water under the 'every house water' of the government by 2030, an investment of about 5 lakh crores will be needed in the infrastructure.
• SWN estimates that if the government is willing to spend less than 10% of that amount on small enterprises for water, then it can provide safe drinking water at a fraction of the cost.

• Why in the discussion?

  The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has given its approval for operational measures for Operation Greens. It is worth noting that in order to ensure the supply and availability of tomatoes, onions and potatoes without any fluctuations in the country throughout the year, the government has started the Operation Greens scheme at a cost of Rs 500 crore in the 2018-19 budget speech. Was announced.

  key points

  • On the basis of 'Operation Flood' in the budget of 2018-19, a new scheme 'Operation Greens' was announced with the expenditure of Rs.500 crores to promote farmers' production organizations, agricultural logistics, processing facilities and professional management. .
  • This plan has been prepared after continuous talks with all stakeholders. It has been decided to take steps to stabilize prices of tomatoes, onions and potatoes.
  • The objective of these measures is to ensure the reach of these vegetables throughout the country throughout the year for all the families.
  • In addition to taking special measures under this scheme, the framework of the grant has also been prepared which will increase production of these crops and maintain a value chain.

  Measures taken by the ministry

  ( I) Short-term price stabilization measures

  • The NAFED head agency will be implementing the price stabilization measure.
  • The Ministry of Food Processing Industries will give 50 percent subsidy on the following two components-

  1. Transportation of potatoes, onion and tomato crops from production site to stores.       
   
  2. Rental of proper storage facilities for tomato, onion and potato crops.

  ( II ) Long Term Integrated Value Chain Development Project 

  • The Capacity Generation Organization (FPO) and their centers have the capacity to build.
  • Quality production
  • Post harvest processing facility.
  • Agricultural equipment
  • Marketing / Consumption Center
  • E-platform creation and management for the demand and supply management of tomato, onion and potato crops.

  Grants-in-aid process

  • Grants-in-aid will be included in this system at 50 percent of eligible project cost in all areas, subject to a maximum of 50 crores per project.
  • However, in which case the PIA itself is FPO, grant assistance will be provided at 70% of eligible project cost in all areas, subject to this amount of Rs. 50 crores per project.
  • The eligible organizations include state agricultural and other marketing federations, farmers' productive organizations, cooperative organizations, companies, self-help groups, food processing contractors, logistics operators, service providers, supply chain operators, retail and wholesale chains and central and state government and their units / Organizations, who will participate in this program and be eligible for financial assistance.
  • Applicants who fulfill the eligibility conditions under this scheme can apply online at the Ministry's property portal (https://sampada.gov.in/), enclosing the entire paper.