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Rajya Sabha
A Centrally sponsored scheme, namely Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP), already exists to provide financial assistance to the States for providing drinking water facilities in rural habitations. The financial assistance under ARWSP is provided as per a laid down criteria, which takes into account the rural population, geo-hydrological conditions, number of not covered/partially covered habitations and water quality situation in the State/UT. State Governments/UT Administrations can utilize 15% of the allocated funds for tackling water quality problem. Recently, the Government of India has conceived Bharat Nirman plan for development of rural infrastructure in four years. Drinking Water Supply is one of the six components of Bharat Nirman, which envisages, inter-alia, tackling of water quality problems in all quality-affected habitations. There is, however, no proposal under consideration to give special category status to any of the States.
This information was given by Minister of State for Rural Development Shri A. Narendra in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
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