RS. 35.79 CRORE RELEASED TO MADHYA PRADESH FOR RURAL DRINKING WATER

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The Ministry of Rural Development has released Rs. 3579.50 lakh for rural drinking water to Madhya Pradesh as second instalment of funds during 2002-03. This is against provisional allocation of Rs. 7159 lakh during the current financial year for execution/completion of schemes to provide safe drinking water facilities to rural habitations and schools under the Centrally Sponsored Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP).

The Ministry has also released Rs. 367.08 lakh to Madhya Pradesh to meet rural drinking water supply requirements arising due to drought situation, as additional Central assistance during 2002-03. This is out of the Central Rural Water Supply Outlay five percent of which is earmarked for contingencies arising due to natural calamities/disaster. Funds are released in consideration of the recommendations of the Central Team of Ministry of Agriculture, which visited Madhya Pradesh in September 2002. State has to utilize these funds for flushing of 4500 existing bore wells and extension of 87750 metres of riser pipes in the hand pumps.