From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Mar 22: Karnataka has pledged to make the State free from drinking water problem in the next five years by effectively implementing various schemes.
Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department Principal Secretary Amita Prasad, who inaugurated World Water Day celebrations, said the State has received incentive of Rs. 100 crore from the Central government for effective implementation of schemes.
The World Bank aided Jal Nirmal Project has also been implemented successfully in various villages, particularly in north Karnataka, to provide potable water to households.
The State budget 2012-13 too had focused on PPP Model for implementing water schemes in City corporations.
She asked officials and NGOs to make all out efforts to free the State from all water problems – fluoride, arsenic and nitrate – in the next five years. Fluoride content was major concern and cause for diseases in 14 districts of the State, she said.
Groundwater was fast depleting at an alarming rate due to over withdrawal and mismanagement. Management of water was a major challenge for authorities of the department as well other stakeholders. The department spends nearly Rs. 1500 crore annually for ensuring quality drinking water in various hamlets of the State, she said.
Underscoring the role of NGOs and communities contribution in the sustainable management of water resources, Prasad called upon the households to install water harvesting technologies by utilising subsidy given by the Government.
She said awards would be instituted in the department to honour engineers and NGOs who successfully innovate and implement water schemes in rural areas.
Prasad said there was a need to implement projects on PPP model as the government alone cannot handle all schemes and projects.
A drinking water scheme was being implemented on PPP model in Gulbarga, Belguam, Hubli-Dharwad cities by the Urban Development to ensure quality water supply to residents.
A sum of Rs 10 crore has been set aside for installation of Geographical Positional System (GPS) for providing information to people about availability of water and its quality, she said.