Statement by India under Agenda Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, at the 48th Session of Human Rights Council (13 September – 08 October 2021) delivered by Ms. Seema Pujani, Second Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 15 September 2021) Statement by India under Agenda Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the human ri..
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Statement by India under Agenda Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, at the 48th Session of Human Rights Council (13 September – 08 October 2021) delivered by Ms. Seema Pujani, Second Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 15 September 2021)

Statement by India under Agenda Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, at  the 48th Session of Human Rights Council (13 September – 08 October 2021) delivered by Ms.Seema Pujani, Second Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 15 September 2021)

Madam President,

We take note of the report of the Special Rapporteur that outlines his plan and vision for the mandate and appreciate the consultations held by him with State representatives, among other stakeholders, in preparation of the report.

We also take note of the challenging objectives that the Rapporteur has identified to guide his work, especially the focus on restoration of aquatic ecosystems as well as democratic water and sanitation governance.

Madam President,

The critical importance of water emphasised by the Rapporteur is summed up in an ancient Sanskrit verse, ‘paniyam paramam loke jeevanam jeevanam samritam’ which means water is the source of all life on earth.

The Government of India is cognizant of the positive correlation between improved access to sanitation and clean drinking water and better health and education outcomes. Our ‘Water is Life’ Mission envisions piped water supply to all rural households by 2024 and to provide universal coverage of water supply to urban households through functional taps in more than 4000 Indian towns and cities in accordance with SDG Goal 6. It also focuses on integrated and sustainable demand and supply side management of water, including creation of local infrastructure for source sustainability such as rainwater harvesting. Schemes for augmentation, conservation and management of water resources are also being implemented throughout the country.

A nationwide ‘Clean India’ Mission was launched in 2014 aimed at construction of household-owned and community-owned toilets. All Indian villages, Districts, States and Union Territories have already declared themselves "open-defecation free" by 2nd October 2019. To ensure that the behaviour is sustained, Phase II of the Mission is being implemented presently.

Madam President,

The Government of India’s many flagship programmes and initiatives are a reflection of our commitment to the realization of the rights to safe drinking water and sanitation for our people and to ensuring we ‘leave no one behind’.

I thank you.