A government survey reveals that just 18% households in rural India have access to basic amenities — drinking water, sanitation and electricity. Urban areas enjoy these facilities in 68% households.
Around 65% of rural households have no sanitation facility, while the corresponding figure for urban areas is 11%, according to the survey.
The disconnect of policy-makers is evident as the Planning Commission is pushing hard to levy user charges on water at a time only 30% of rural population have access to safe drinking water and 55% depend on tube well or hand pumps, says the survey.
