Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Nod for Jalanidhi second phase

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The World Bank has given approval, in principle, for the second phase of the Jalanidhi Project in the State, costing Rs.1,000 crore. The Bank has also approved another Rs.1,000-crore project aimed at strengthening panchayats and municipalities in the State.

Minister for Water Resources N.K. Premachandran told a press conference here on Friday that the second phase of the project, meant for drinking water supply in rural areas, could be taken up by 2010.

The World Bank loan for the project would come to about Rs.800 crore.

The Minister said that about five lakh families in 300 panchayats would benefit from the project, which would be implemented in three stages over five years. There would be schemes catering to villages separately and multi-village projects. Water for the multi-village projects would be supplied by the Kerala Water Authority in bulk and distributed by the panchayats. Maintenance of the distribution system and collection of revenue would be the responsibility of the panchayats.

He said that reduction of beneficiary contribution under the schemes from 15 per cent to 10 per cent was under consideration of the Bank. Reduction of contribution by Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe families from ten per cent to five per cent was also being considered.

A Planning Mission of the Bank would visit the State this month-end to decide on arrangements and procedures for implementation of the project.

He said that the project for strengthening of local bodies would be taken up in 999 panchayats and 53 municipalities of Kerala. The details were to be worked out.

Asked about reports that the manufacturer of the boat that met with accident at Thekkady was issued the certificate of registration without proper supporting documents, the Minister said that the Crime Branch was looking into the allegation. The Chief Inspector of Boats had claimed that the certificate was issued on the basis of approval granted by the Indian Registry of Shipping. The allegation was that such an approval for building the body of the boat was lacking. The Crime Branch was investigating whether there was any irregularity, including fabrication of documents.

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