The State Government has decided to spend Rs 1000 crore lying with District Mineral Foundation Trusts (DMFT) formed especially in coal and iron ore belts of the State for providing clean and potable drinking water to affected populace.
Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation Chandra Prakash Chaudhary while replying in the Assembly to Demands for Grants for the Department on Monday said that initiative would help the State in achieving its goals.
“During 2017-18 our plan is to provide piped drinking water to 35 per cent of our population which would be taken up to 50 per cent by 2020. About Rs 1000 crore of DMFT funds would be used for this purpose in the mining areas affected badly due to coal and iron ore excavations,” said the Minister.
Chief Minister Raghubar Das also intervened, saying that the mineral bearing areas were languishing for development. “We have vast region in the form of Kolhan, coal belt and Singhbhum that have suffered a lot but still are far from development. The Cabinet has provided powers to DC for sanctioning projects up to Rs 1 crore, to DMFT up to Rs 5 crore, to Department up to Rs 15 crore and to the Cabinet for above that for spending out of the DMFT,” said he.
Chaudhary went on reiterating the pledge of the Government to make the State ODF by 2018 while two districts- lohardaga and Ramgrah- would get the tag by March, 2017.
“On the front of irrigation, we are working on Konar, Bhairavi, Upper Sankh projects which would be made operational during 2017-18. Water from Sone River is being brought to dry Palamu region. We have taken up 53 schemes to repairing banks of canals for the first time,” said he.