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Rs.3.22-crore drinking water scheme inaugurated

Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Monday inaugurated a Rs.3.22 crore community based drinking water scheme here.

Speaking on the occasion, he said the scheme was a part of the memorandum of understanding signed with Naandi Foundation, a Hyderabad-based NGO, for supply of potable water in Gidderbaha area. He said the Foundation is already working in eight states on a public-private partnership basis on issues related to poverty eradication and community development.

Mr. Badal said the State Government had already inked an agreement with the World Bank for Rs.1280 crore for Punjab Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project.

The project is financed by the World Bank to the extent of Rs.751 crore.

The Punjab government has put in Rs.245 crore, the Union Government Rs.207 crore and community contribution of Rs.77 crore.

The project was aimed at 2124 villages not covered by drinking water facility and 920 villages covered partially, improve existing water supply schemes in 1600 villages, provide small bore sewer in 100 villages besides renovation of ponds in 1000 villages.

The Chief Minister appealed to village panchayats to come forward to convince the people to contribute their respective shares of 10 per cent and five per cent for the World Bank’s drinking water and sewerage schemes respectively.

He said the State Government alone cannot implement these schemes on its own due to “certain inbuilt terms and conditions where the monetary participation of the people was mandatory”.

Mr. Badal also mentioned that quality of drinking water in the Malwa belt was relatively very poor and causing skin disorders and cancer.

The participation of people in these schemes of basic civic amenities would not only improve their quality of life but also save them from possible deadly diseases, he said.

Referring to modernisation and upgradation of canal network in the Malwa belt which was very old, Mr. Badal said the state irrigation and drainage department had undertaken a massive programme at a cost of Rs.3250 crore for de-silting and lining of canals and water courses to enhance the intake capacity of water for irrigation purposes by at least 25-30 per cent. — PTI

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Rs.3.22-crore drinking water scheme inaugurated

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