Date:03/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/03/stories/2006040301780300.htm

Karnataka - Belgaum

Task forces begin work

Staff Correspondent

BELGAUM: The task forces set up by the Legislative Assembly to take steps to ease drinking water crisis in villages, became operational on Saturday, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Govind M. Karjol has said.

Speaking at the Karnataka Development Programme meeting here on Saturday, Mr. Karjol, who also holds the Rural Water Supply portfolio, said the Government has set up the task forces as a temporary measure to address the drinking water crisis in rural areas.

The task forces headed by the local legislator with senior officials as its members can sanction borewells without consulting the higher authorities for approval. However, they should exercise restraint while sanctioning borewells, he added.

Funds

The Minister said the Government has allocated Rs. 750 crore for rural water supply alone, which is the highest in the history of the State.

Of this, the Government has decided to spend Rs. 100 crore through the task forces and the remaining to provide permanent solutions to drinking water crisis in villages. Mr. Karjol asked KPTCL authorities to ensure electricity connections to borewells sunk under rural water supply schemes.