Tripura to receive 80 lakhs under ARWSP

Agartala, Oct 18 (UNI) The Union Ministry of Rural Development has released Rs 80 lakhs to Tripura as first instalment of funds against additional allocation of Rs 160 lakhs under the centrally sponsored Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP) during 2006-07.

The funds are to be utilised for execution of schemes to provide safe drinking water facilities to rural habitations and schools in the state under ARWSP.

A total amount of Rs 74.42 crore has been released by the Union Rural Development Ministry to 18 states as first instalment and another Rs 179.84 crore has been sanctioned as additional allocation.

The highest fund has been allocated to Jammu and Kashmir. Out of the eight North Eastern States, seven will avail the financial assistance, except Manipur.

The Union Ministry has told the states that upto 15 per cent of the funds released can be utilised for operation and maintenance and upto 5 per cent of funds for taking substantiality measures. The Ministry has also directed the states not to avail these funds for tackling water quality problems as there is a separate allocation for that purpose.

The states have also been directed to transfer completed Rural Water Schemes to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) for their operation and maintenance and as such, delegate powers to PRIs for this purpose.

It may be noted that under the ARWSP, the Central Government supplements the efforts of state governments in providing drinking water facilities in rural areas by rendering financial assistance and technical support. The state governments are competent to plan, sanction, implement and execute rural water supply projects from funds provided under ARWSP.

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