Modi govt could give neither clean water, nor clean air, making public suffer: Kharge

Access to clean water and air is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of public health, directly impacting the quality of life and economic productivity of a nation. In India, a country grappling with diverse geographical and socio-economic challenges, ensuring these basic necessities for its vast population has been a persistent goal for successive governments. This forms the crucial background against which Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's recent criticism of the Modi government regarding the failure to provide clean water and air, citing deaths from contaminated water in Indore, gains significant relevance.

Historically, India has faced immense challenges in water and sanitation. Decades of underinvestment, rapid urbanization, industrial pollution, and inadequate infrastructure have contributed to widespread water and air quality issues. To address these, the current government launched two ambitious flagship programs: the **Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA)** on October 2, 2014, with the aim of achieving universal sanitation coverage and making India Open Defecation Free (ODF), and the **Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)** in August 2019, envisioned to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections to all rural households by 2024. These missions represent significant national commitments to improve public health and living standards.

What happened is that Mallikarjun Kharge, a prominent opposition leader, specifically called out the government's perceived inaction following reported deaths due to contaminated water in Indore. His statement questions the efficacy and ground-level impact of schemes like JJM and SBA, suggesting that despite the government's claims of progress, basic services are still failing the public in critical areas. This criticism serves as a political challenge to the government's narrative of development and good governance.

Key stakeholders in this discourse include: the **Government of India**, particularly the Ministry of Jal Shakti (for water) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (for urban sanitation) and Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (for rural sanitation), which are responsible for designing, funding, and monitoring these national schemes. **State Governments and Local Self-Governments (Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies)** are crucial for the actual implementation, maintenance, and last-mile delivery of services. The **political opposition**, represented here by the Congress party and its president, plays a vital role in holding the government accountable and bringing public grievances to the fore. Most importantly, the **citizens of India** are the ultimate beneficiaries or victims, whose health and well-being are directly affected by the success or failure of these initiatives. Public health authorities and environmental regulatory bodies also play a critical role in monitoring and responding to crises.

This issue holds immense significance for India. Firstly, it directly impacts **public health**. Contaminated water is a primary cause of water-borne diseases like cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and hepatitis, leading to significant morbidity and mortality, especially among vulnerable populations. The economic burden of these diseases, including healthcare costs and loss of productivity, is substantial. Secondly, it pertains to **governance and accountability**. The criticism highlights challenges in scheme implementation, monitoring mechanisms, and the crucial aspect of ensuring quality and sustainability of infrastructure. It underscores the need for robust grievance redressal systems and transparency in public service delivery. Thirdly, it is linked to **social justice and equity**, as marginalized communities often bear the brunt of inadequate access to clean resources. Finally, it reflects on India's commitment to **Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)**, which aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

Constitutionally, the **Right to Life under Article 21** has been expansively interpreted by the Supreme Court to include the right to a clean environment, clean water, and access to health. This makes the provision of clean water and sanitation a fundamental obligation of the state. Furthermore, **Article 47** of the Directive Principles of State Policy mandates the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health. The **73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments (1992)** devolved powers to Panchayats and Municipalities, making them responsible for subjects like drinking water (Entry 11, Schedule XI) and public health, sanitation, and solid waste management (Entry 17, Schedule XII and Entry 6 & 17, Schedule XII respectively). This decentralization is key to local service delivery, but also highlights the complexities of multi-level governance in achieving national goals.

Looking ahead, the future implications are critical. The government will need to intensify its focus not just on creating infrastructure but also on its **operation and maintenance (O&M)** to ensure long-term sustainability and quality. Addressing **source sustainability** for water, especially in the face of climate change and increasing demand, will be paramount. This includes groundwater recharge, rainwater harvesting, and efficient water management. The political discourse surrounding such incidents will likely push for greater transparency, more rigorous monitoring, and potentially, policy adjustments to address implementation gaps. Ultimately, the success of these missions will depend on effective federal cooperation, community participation, and a strong regulatory framework to ensure compliance with quality standards for both water and air.