Cabinet approves scheme to provide drinking water in schools

New Delhi, Oct 31 : The Union Cabinet today approved an ambitious scheme to provide stand-alone drinking water system to one lakh schools across the country, which will be implemented from November 14.

Referring to the budget announcement this year that one lakh schools would be provided with clean drinking water facilities, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said the Union Cabinet approved the scheme which would cost Rs 200 crore during the current financial year.

He said the Director General Supplies and Disposal (DGS andD) has finalised the technologies, the rates and suppliers for the systems.

"This had also been communicated to the respective governments in the states and union territories," he added.

While one lakh schools would be covered during the current fiscal, the scheme would be continued in successive years, the Minister said.

ANI