Centre releases Rs 164.24 crore to nine states under ARWSP

New Delhi, Oct 30 (UNI) The Ministry of Rural Development has released Rs 164.24 crore to nine states for coverage of rural schools during 2006-07 with drinking water supply under the centrally-sponsored Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP).

The states are Uttaranchal, West Bengal, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. The release of funds is subject to the conditions that it should be utilised for the same purpose and that the State Government should provide matching share from the State Plan and submit utilisation certificate with the number of schools covered under the programme during the year of allocation.

The ARWSP comes under Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission in the Department of Drinking Water Supply to ensure coverage of rural habitations with safe drinking water supply, ensure sustainability of the systems and sources, preserve quality of water by institutionalising water quality monitoring and surveillance and support the States to promote community and household sanitation.

UNI AJ VD RN1619