Date:02/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/02/02/stories/2006020203491400.htm

Back Govt allows more funding for water contamination

Our Bureau

New Delhi , Feb 1

THE Government on Wednesday modified two components under the Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP) to make allocation of funds more focussed.

"If any, focussed funding is required to tackle severe cases of contamination of water, the ceiling could be exceeded in exceptional cases," the Information and Broadcasting Minister, Mr Mr P.R. Dasmunsi, told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.

The Cabinet approved reorientation of a component - "Submission for Water Quality" - by retaining 20 per cent of the ARWSP funds with the Centre.

As per the data received from the State Governments and consolidated in October 2004, a total of 2,16,968 habitations are affected due to a variety of water quality problems in their drinking water sources.

"These funds will be allocated only to those States that have severe water quality problems," he said.