The Ministry for Rural Development has released Rs.89.94 crore to the West Bengal Government for tackling drinking water problem in 648 Arsenic affected habitations. The amount constitutes 45 per cent of the Central share towards first instalment under revised Sub-mission programme of Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (Quality) during 2006-07.
Three comprehensive Piped Water Supply Schemes have been approved by the West Bengal Government for 670 habitations which include 648 Arsenic affected habitations. The project to be executed on intra-village distribution network will cost Rs. 275 crore . Rs.196.22 crore constituting 75 per cent of the total costs of the project will be borne by the Centre under the Sub-Mission programme for water quality problems. The Ministry has directed the State Government to transfer the completed schemes to Panchayati Raj Institutions for their operation and maintenance.
A total of 5,029 habitations in the country are having excess Arsenic in drinking water. Out of these 3,176 habitations are located in 8 districts of West Bengal. The worst affected districts in the State are South 24-Parganas district having 1644 habitations, North 22-Parganas district having 922 affected habitations, Malda district having 462 affected habitations and Murshidabad district with 98 affected habitations.
The Ministry of Rural Development proposes to cover all quality-affected habitations with safe drinking water by 2009 under the Bharat Nirman Yojana. The Minister of Rural Development, Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, has reviewed its implementation and has desired that other States should also send proposals and should take lead to get rid of water quality problems.
MLD:LK:RD-26 (arsenic affected habitations)
(19.9.06)
(Release ID :20795)