2) With normal output of 12 litres per minute, one handpump or stand post is provided for every 250 persons. In case of an independent habitation/ hamlet/ Tola/ Majra etc, if their population is less than 250 persons and there is no potable water source within its location, one source may be provided. A rural habitation not having any safe water source with a permanently settled population of 20 households or 100 persons, whichever is more, may be taken as the unit for coverage with funds under the Accelerated Rural Water Supply Program (ARWSP). However, the State Govt. could cover any habitation regardless of its size/population/ number of households with funds under the Minimum Need Program (MNP).

3) DDP areas and SC/ST habitations with less than 100 persons can, however, be covered under the ARWSP.

a. The drinking water source/point does not exist within 1.6 km of the habitations in plains or 100 meter elevation in hilly areas. The source/point may either be public or private in nature. However, habitations drawing water from a private source may be deemed as covered only when the water is safe, of adequate capacity and, is accessible to all.

b. Habitations which have a water source but are affected with quality problems such as excess salinity, iron, fluoride, arsenic or other toxic elements or biologically contaminated.