10,000 solar-based water systems will be installed in naxal-affected districts

The Government has proposed to install 10,000 solar power based dual pump piped water supply systems in the Integrated Action Plan districts to supply safe drinking water to the people of these regions funded from the National Rural Drinking Water Programme and the National Clean Energy Fund. Replying to a written question in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister for Rural Development Shri Jairam Ramesh said, the solar-based system will go a long way in solving the drinking water problems of the naxal-affected areas.

Earlier, the Minister informed that solar-based water systems will be installed in the 78 maoist-affected districts to meet the challenges of drinking water scarcity in these areas. He said that 540 crore rupees have been earmarked for this project and added that 200 such systems have already been set up in Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra. He said, improving water use efficiency is one of the main goals of the Rural Development Ministry and informed that 70 percent of all MGNREGA works are water related works. Shri Ramesh said, besides enhancing the contribution of renewable energy in rural development works, efforts are also being made to improve the expansion of green cover in both qualitative and quantitative terms.



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