Rs 16cr spent on drinking water survey in 2023 but report still under wraps

NEW DELHI: The government had conducted a survey of the quality of drinking water across cities in 2023 but didn't release the report or rankings after it abruptly cancelled the event scheduled for honouring the best performers in March 2025, just ahead of the last Lok Sabha elections.

In a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on Monday, the housing and urban affairs ministry said that Ipsos Research Pvt Ltd , an agency, was engaged during 2022-23 to conduct Pey Jal Survekshan in 485 AMRUT cities "at a cost of Rs 16.96 crore", of which Rs 16.1 crore has been released.

Responding to whether the survey's findings have been released and govt has analysed the report for corrective measures, the ministry said, "The findings were communicated to the states/Union Territories at the workshop held on Nov 22, in New Delhi. During the workshop, discussions were held and states/UTs were advised to take corrective measures".

The ministry not releasing the survey findings has remained a mystery considering that govt holds similar surveys across sectors to ensure "healthy competition" among states and cities.

Interestingly, on Feb 27, 2024, months after the workshop with states and UTs, the ministry had issued a detailed press release announcing that the "first Pey Jal Survekshan Awards " would be held on March 5, with President Droupadi Murmu scheduled to preside over the event. It said that cities and states would be honoured for excellence in the water sector. In all, 130 awards were to be bestowed, reflecting the accomplishments of cities and states under different categories: gold, silver, and bronze.