VISAKHAPATNAM: After seeking donations from the public for construction of a new capital city for Andhra Pradesh, the state government is now seeking the support of philanthropists, NGOs and industries, under corporate social responsibility (CSR), for the implementation of the much-publicised NTR Sujala Sravanthi scheme to provide protected drinking water in rural areas.
While the government claims that it is an effort to involve various organisations for effective implementation of the scheme, the officials have admitted that the decision was taken to prevent any financial burden on the state’s exchequer which is already in a bad condition. The NTR Sujala Sravanthi scheme is aimed at supplying protected drinking water to rural areas across the state. The government intends to supply 20 litres of clean water at Rs 2, per each family under the novel scheme.
However, the much-awaited programme, which is likely to be launched on October 2, is said to be facing fund crunch for setting up reverse osmosis (RO) plants. The state government took up the scheme for implementation as existing protected drinking water supply schemes and comprehensive protected drinking water schemes are not able to cater the needs of the state.
The installation of each plant costs anywhere between `5.75 lakh and `15 lakh, based on the quality of the groundwater available and population of the village. “It would be a difficult for the government to mobilise such huge amounts and monitor the functioning of the plants in each village,” explained sources in the Panchayat Raj department. Initially, the government wants to takeover or have a tie-up with the existing plants being operated by various NGOs and industrial establishments under CSR activities.
“The modalities are being finalised by the cabinet sub-committee constituted by the state government and an official announcement is expected in a couple of weeks. However, it is yet to be decided if the government will have complete ownership or partial ownership over the RO plants.
The government would also ensure that the supplied water is safe as per the prescribed standards,” said the officials.
The district collectors have been asked to identify the existing RO plants and give an estimation of packaged water being supplied by them to the customers. Based on the reports, the state government will take a final call over the modalities for implementation of the scheme.
For a drop of water
Under the scheme, govt intends to supply 20 litre of clean water by charging only Rs 2 to each family in rural areas
Supposed to be launched on Oct 2, scheme faces fund crunch for setting up RO plants
Installation of each RO plant to cost Rs 5.75 to Rs 15 lakh
Modalities being finalised by cabinet sub-committee constituted by state govt
Govt plans to takeover or have a tie-up with existing plants being operated by various NGOs and industrial establishments