CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here Monday inaugurated the community based Reverse Osmosis Safe Drinking Water Scheme at cost of Rs. 3.22 crore here on Monday.

Speaking on the occasion, Badal said that the scheme was a part of the memorandum of understanding signed with Naandi Foundation for supply of potable water in Gidderbaha area. He pointed out that the Naandi Foundation was a Hyderabad based reputed Non-Government Organization (NGO) which was already working in eight states on public-private partership basis on issues related to poverty eradication and community development.

Badal further said that the state government had already inked an agreement with World Bank for Rs. 1280 crore for Punjab Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project. The project is duly financed by the World Bank to the extent of Rs. 751 crore. Governemnt of Punjab Rs. 245 crore, Government of India Rs. 207 crore and community contribution of Rs. 77 crore.

The Project was aimed at to cover 2124 "Not Covered Villages". 920 "Partially Covered villages," improve the existing water supply schemes in 1600 villages, provide small bore sewer in 100 villages besides the renovation ponds in 1000 villages of the state.

The Chief Minister appealed to the village panchayats to come forward to convince the people to contribute their respective shares of 10% and 5% for the World Bank's drinking water and sewerage schemes respectively.

He categorically said that the state government alone come not implement these schemes on its own due to certain inbuilt terms and conditions where the monetary participation of the people was mandatory.

The Chief Minister also mentioned that quality of drinking water in the Malwa belt was relatively very poor and causing skin disorders and Cancer. The participation of people in these schemes of basic civic amenities would not only improve their quality of life but also save them from the possible deadly diseases.
           
Referring to the modernization and upgradation of Canal network in the Malwa belt which was very old, Badal stated the state irrigation and drainage department had undertaken a massive programme at a cost of Rs. 3250 crore for the de-silting and lining of the canals and water courses to enhance the intake capacity of water for irrigation purposes by atleast 25% -30% especially at the tail ends in this region.

           
In his address Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal said that Naandi Foundation was managed by corporate leaders and academicians Dr. Kanji Reddy. Anand Mahindra, Ramalinga Raju and Dr. Isher Judge Ahluwalia. He said that the foundation would set up 53 Reverse Osmosis (RO) Plants in district Muktsar with output capacity of 1500/1000/500 liters per hour. It will supply water @10 paise per liter to the domestic users. Each RO plant of 500 liter per hour would cost Rs. 5 lac and 1000 liter per hour would cost Rs. 6 lac.

           
Manpreet Singh Badal hoped that the initiative of the Punjab Government with Naandi Foundation would go a long way in improving the quality of drinking water in Malwa belt in general and the areas of Gidderbaha in particular.

           
Earlier, the Chief Minister also launched the community based drinking water scheme at village Kot Ablu in Gidderbaha. 

           
Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included S. Gurdas Singh Badal former MP, Amit Jain National Director Naandi Gram Organisation, Vikas Garg Deputy Commissioner Muktsar, R.P. Mittal DIG Ferozepur, Gurpreet Singh Gill, SSP Muktsar, Rishi Pal Singh SDM Gidderbaha and S. Navtej Singh Kauni Member SGPC were also present on the occasion.