BELLARY: Of the Rs. 8,000-crore corpus fund approved by the Union Government for the 11th tranche of the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) for 2005-06, the State's share is about Rs. 600 crores.

Projects that can be implemented with the funds include rural roads, bridges, minor and micro irrigation, soil conservation, watershed development, reclamation of waterlogged areas, drainage, and forest development. Market yards and godowns, cold storages, fishing harbours/jetties, infrastructure for education, public health institutions and toilets can also be built.

Ninety-five per cent of the funds required will be provided under the RIDF for all projects except construction of roads, bridges, infrastructure for education, public health institutions and toilet blocks. For road and bridge projects, 80 per cent of the project cost will be provided.

Official sources told The Hindu that the Public Works and Water Resources Department, particularly Minor Irrigation, have got a major share of funds. Of the Rs. 600-crore assistance, the departments have been allocated Rs. 225 crores and Rs. 175 crores, respectively.

The allocations for some of the other departments are as follows: Rural Development and Panchayat Raj - Rs. 40 crores; Agriculture, Public Instruction - Rs. 30 crores; Health - Rs. 25 crores; Industries - Rs. 20 crores.

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