Central grants to Karnataka, AP for rural water supply

New Delhi, Apr 30 (UNI) The Central government has sanctioned Rs 40.95 crore to Karnataka and Rs 46.96 crore to Andhra Pradesh for augumenting rural drinking water supply in the two states.

The Ministry of Rural Development has sanctioned Rs 40.95 crore to Karnataka towards part payment of first instalment of funds against the provisional allocation of Rs 245.72 crore made for the state government under Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (Normal) of Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission, during the year 2007-08.

Under the Scheme, an amount of Rs 5.46 crore has also been released towards part of first instalment of ARWSP-DDP funds against provisional allocation of Rs 32.79 crore for the year 2007-08.

The Ministry has sanctioned Rs. 46.96 crore to the Andhra Pradesh government towards part payment of first instalment of funds against the provisional allocation of Rs 281.78 crore made by the state government for the scheme during the year 2007-08. Under the Scheme, an amount of Rs 2.25 crore has also been released towards part of first instalment of ARWSP-DDP funds against provisional allocation of Rs 13.52 crore for the year 2007-08.

Upto 15 per cent of funds released under this sanction may be utilized for Operation&Maintenance and up to five per cent of funds may be spent for taking sustainability measures. States have been requested to delegate powers for management of Rural Water Supply Schemes through the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) as per the Constitution. As such, Operation and Maintenance of the completed RWS Scheme should be transferred to the PRIs.

No expenditure shall be incurred on taking water quality problems form the present release, as there is a separate allocation for the purpose. This release is being made for execution/completion of schemes to provide safe drinking water facilities to rural habitations and schools under the Centrally Sponsored ARWSP.

UNI