The Ministry of Rural Development has sanctioned Rs. 56.28 crore to the State Government of Orissa towards balance of first instalment of funds against the provisional allocation of Rs. 168.85 crore made for the Government of Orissa under Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (Normal) of Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission, during the year 2007-08.
Up to 15 per cent of funds released under this sanction may be utilized for Operation & Maintenance and up to 5 per cent of funds may be spent for taking sustainability measures. States have been requested to delegate powers for management of Rural Water Supply Schemes through the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) as per the Constitution of India. As such Operation and Maintenance of the completed RWS Scheme should be transferred to the PRIs.
No expenditure shall be incurred on taking water quality problems form the present release, as there is a separate allocation for the purpose.
This release is being made for execution/completion of schemes to provide safe drinking water facilities to rural habitations and schools under the Centrally Sponsored ARWSP. Priorities set in ARWSP guidelines and through other instructions issued from time to time shall be followed for coverage of rural habitations and rural schools.
ST/JA
(Release ID :28494)