Funds for National Drinking Water Mission increased

New Delhi, Feb 28: Government proposes to increase the provision for the Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission from Rs.3,645 crore to Rs.4,680 crore next year.

Presenting the Union Budget for the year 2006-07, the Finance Minister, P Chidambaram stated that the target for the current year for the drinking water supply would be completed and 56,270 habitations and 140,000 schools will be covered.

Apart from non-coverage, there is the persistent problem of slippage, he noted, adding that the strategy to tackle the both includes conservation, better operational management, and water quality monitoring and capacity building at the village level. The government propose to provide non-recurring assistance of Rs.213 crore in 2006-07 for setting up district-level water testing laboratories and filed-level water testing kits, the Minister added.

Mr Chidambaram also proposed to increase the provision for the Rural Sanitation Campaign from Rs.630 crore to Rs.720 crore in 2006-07.

UNI