Govt will implement Hogenekal Water Supply Scheme: TN CM

Chennai, Mar 28 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today assured the state Assembly that his government would implement the Hogenekal Integrated Water Supply Scheme, whether the government received financial assistance from Japan or not.

Intervening in the debate on the budget for the year 2007-08, he said the Centre had recommended the scheme, which was the only solution for drinking water problem of Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts, to the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) for financial assistance.

Stating that a team of experts from NBIC had recently conducted preliminary appraisal of the project in these districts, Mr Karunanidhi said whether the JBIC sanctioned the funds or not, the DMK government would implement the scheme, amid thumping of desks.

When Mr T K Raja (PMK), who wanted the scheme to be extended to cover Vellore district and expressed apprehension about the execution of the scheme, the Chief Minister said in the budget itself, it had been stated, ''treating this project as a challenge, this government will implement this project with determination.'' Later, Mr C Gnanasekaran (Congress), representing Vellore constituency, urged the Chief Minister to include Vellore district while executing the project.

UNI