Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour in Rajya Sabha, he said the Centre was persuading state government to make rain water harvesting a component of its urban planning.
"We have only advisory and persuasive role," he said.
"Though water pricing in urban areas is within the mandate of state government/urban local bodies, the Government of India has issued manuals and advisories advocating the levying of appropriate user charges and to guide states to improve water supply and sanitation services including recovery of operation and maintenance (O&M) charges," he said.
The Centre is also trying to guide states on creation of proper sewage treatment facilities. It is financing scheme for sewage treatment plants, he added.