Why govt's rural drinking water programme failed despite spending Rs 800 bn

The programme's target: Providing 35% of rural households with water connections. Less than half that target was achieved

More than 163 million Indians--more than the population of Russia--do not have access to safe drinking water, and the national rural drinking water programme, despite spending 90% of Rs 89,956 crore over five years to 2017, has “failed” its targets, according to an August 2018 report from the government’s auditor.

The programme’s target: Providing 35% of rural households with water connections and 40 lt--about two buckets--of water per person per day. Less than half that target was achieved, thanks to “poor execution” and “weak contract management”, said the audit report from the Comptroller