D. Srinivas

HYDERABAD: An action plan has been prepared to tackle the drinking water crisis in the State, with special emphasis on six districts in summer, according to Rural Development Minister D. Srinivas.

He told reporters here after a review with officials of the Rural Water Supply wing of the Panchayat Raj Department that a drinking water crisis was anticipated in Prakasam, Chittoor, Kadapa, Anantapur, Mahabubnagar and Nalgonda districts.

Supply by tankers

District-wise action plans prepared to overcome the problem would be approved at the Collectors' conference scheduled here on March 10, the Minister said. A sum of Rs.60 crores was required to mitigate the water shortage in the State and Rs. 25 crores was placed at the disposal of the wing in the districts. Wherever necessary, water would be transported in tankers for supply.

Of the 71,540 rural habitations in the State with a population of 5.52 crore, 43,141 habitations were covered under the protected water scheme, while another 20,124 were partially covered. As many as 6,889 habitations were left uncovered and 1,386 did not have any safe water source, Mr. Srinivas said.

Under the Indiramma programme, 10,399 habitations had been identified and 3,739 were fully covered. Referring to the problems of the fluoride-affected villages, he stated that 1,201 habitations were identified.

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