Shillong, Feb 21 (UNI) The Centre has released Rs 16.47 crore to Meghalaya towards second installment of funds against the original allocation of Rs 38.93 crore to the state under Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP) during 2006-07.

Up to 15 per cent of the funds released under the scheme may be utilized for Operation and Maintenance and up to 5 per cent of funds for taking sustainability measures, official sources said here today.

The Rural Development Ministry have also requested state governments to delegate powers for management of Rural Water Supply Schemes through the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).

As such, Operation and Maintenance of the completed Rural Water Supply (RWS) schemes should be transferred to the PRIs.

Official sources said no expenditure shall be incurred on tackling water quality problems from the present release, as there is a separate allocation for the purpose.

This release is being made for execution/completion of scheme to provide safe drinking water facilities to rural habitations and schools under the Centrally Sponsored ARWSP, official sources said.

Priorities set in ARWSP guidelines and through other instructions issued from time to time shall be followed for coverage of rural habitations and rural schools.

The Centre introduced the Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP) in 1972-73 to assist States and Union Territories with cent per cent grants-in-aid to implement drinking water supply schemes in problem villages.

The entire programme was given a Mission approach when the Technology Mission on Drinking Water Management, called the National Drinking Water Mission (NDWM), was introduced as one of the five Missions in the social sector in 1986. NDWM was renamed the Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission (RGNDWM) in 1991.

UNI