Centre asks states to tackle arsenic, provide safe drinking water

New Delhi, July 5 (UNI) The government is concerned over the presence of arsenic, floride and iron in water resources in various parts of the country and has initiated steps to provide safe, adequate drinking water at an affordable price to all, Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh said today.

Dr Singh, who chaired the valedictory session of the two-day state ministers conference on 'Sustainablity in Rural Drinking Water Supply Systems and Sanitation for All' here, told reporters that villages near Ganges river bank in West Bengal, Bihar and Assam were major areas of concern. He said that steps were being initiated to deal with the problem and provide quality drinking water.

West Bengal had demanded approval form the Centre for setting up of an International Institute for Arsenic Mitigation in the state.

It also demanded more funds to the state in view of the specific problem he added.

Dr Singh the urged states to seek an effective convergence of the government programmes like NREGA, soil and water conservation programme under agriculture, Central Ground Water Board and forest department for protecting and strengthening the existing water sources and creating new water bodies. He asked the states to explore the possibilities of using non conventional energy to cut down the cost of water supply systems.

The meeting also reviewed the progress of Sub Mission on Water Quality projects and the National Rural Drinking Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance programme. The usage of Web Based Integrated Management Information Systems was also impressed upon the participants.

The minister called for constructing community toilets and covering all 'anganwadis' and schools on priority basis under the Sanitation for all programme. He also stressed the need for involving NGOs in rural sanitation and awareness creation for water management and strict vigilance and monitoring system.

Dr Singh said that rural sanitation could be converged with the National Rural Health Mission for better health and sanitation in rural areas and to strive for making 'nirmal' districts.

States demanded revising the funding pattern for special category states like the North East and the hilly region. They also showed committment to work with renewed vigour to provide excellent services in rural drinking water and sanitation.

UNI