New Delhi: Minister of State for Water and Sanitation S.S. Ahluwalia said the Central government will allocate funds under the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRWDP) based on the performance of the states.
On November 10, the Union Cabinet restructured the NRDWP to focus on sustainability of schemes and ensure quality service in rural areas.
"States will have to first spend their own money on the implementation of the Central scheme and only then they will be able to avail the second instalment from the Centre. The second instalment of funds will be allocated on the basis of performance of the states,” said Mr. Ahuwalia at a press conference.
“The proposed amendments will make the programme flexible, result oriented and competitive. We have put the whole scheme of rural drinking water in a challenge mode,” said the minister.
The Cabinet has allocated ₹23,050 crore for the programme from 2017-18 to 2019-20.
Under the restructured NRDWP, states have been given more flexibility in utilisation of funds for drinking water schemes by reducing the number of components under the programme.
A day-long workshop was also organised where representatives of various states shared their views on the implementation of the rural drinking water schemes and best practices.
“States like Punjab, Gujarat, West Bengal, Odisha and Tamil Nadu shared their best practices with the other states,” said Mr. Ahluwalia.
