March 21, 2002

    The Ministry of Rural Development has released Rs. 74.52 lakh to Assam under Rajiv Gandhi Drinking Water Mission for implementation of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities in four districts namely, Cachar, Hailakandi, Dibrugarh and Nalbari of the State. This is first instalment of funds against total approved cost of Rs. 149.04 lakh, to the State, for the activities during the year 2001-02.

    For the same programme in four districts of Sikkim, namely North, East, South and West districts, the Ministry has released Rs. 42.45 lakh, as first instalment. This is against approved cost of Rs. 84.90 lakh to the State.

    The Ministry has also released second instalment of funds, for Central Rural Sanitation Programme, Rs. 1.01 lakh each to Mizoram and Sikkim against total approved cost of Rs. 2.03 lakh and Rs. 2.01 lakh respectively. With this, the total funds for the programme for the year 2001-02 stands released to the both States.

    Besides, The Ministry has released Rs. 135 lakh to Mizoram as 50 per cent of its share, for Strengthening of Revenue Administration & Updating of Land Records, a centrally sponsored scheme. The State government also has to provide its share to approved project of Rs. 270 lakh.