New Delhi : Citing that rural areas in Tamil Nadu are facing acute water crisis and disruption in supplying drinking water has affected the lives of the people, Minister S.P. Velumani submitted a memorandum to the Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Government of India at New Delhi on Tuesday.
New Delhi : Citing that rural areas in Tamil Nadu are facing acute water crisis and disruption in supplying drinking water has affected the lives of the people, Minister S.P. Velumani submitted a memorandum to the Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Government of India at New Delhi on Tuesday.
The rural and municipal administration minister sought a fund of Rs. 5,398 crore for effectively addressing the emerging water crisis in 17 districts and 38 blocks in seven other districts experiencing sever drought. The Minister also noted that depletion of water table and inadequate summer showers have left the areas in despair.
The TN State Minister requested the central Minister to support in implementing the several welfare projects including a desalination plant and a connected pipeline network, Combined water scheme, renovating drinking water schemes, rainwater harvesting scheme and compensation for drought-hit areas.
He mentioned that if welfare funds are allotted for implementing the projects, the water crisis issues will be addressed, thus will help to enhance the quality of life of people in TN.
Key requests in the Memorandum:
* Desalination plant and connected pipeline worked with a designed capacity of 100 MLD to Villupuram and Thindivanam Municipality, Marakkanam and Vikkaravandi Town Panchayat and 1601 rural habitations in 10 Panchayat Unions of Villupuram District with an approximate cost of Rs.2000 crore and expected population profit is 16.78 lakh.
* CWSS to 8 Town Panchayats and 2452 rural habitations in Sivagangai district with Cauvery river as a source and expected opulation benefit is 10.77 lakh, and the expected draw of water is 78.40 MLD for Rs.1800 crores.
* Revamping and rejuvenation of outlived 155 CWSS to improve the performance and supply efficiency at an estimated cost of Rs.1000 crores.
* Mitigation work in enhancing the supply during the drought and summer seasons for the TWAD maintained combined Water Supply Schemes (CWSS) at an expected cost of Rs. 100 crores.
* Creation of rainwater harvesting structures for improving the water resources and conservation in TWAD maintained CWSS at an approximate cost of Rs. 50 crore (463 work).
* The Rural Local Bodies require funds to the tune of Rs. 448 crore to take up various drought mitigation work.
* To take up ODF Plus activities in the 1,000 Peri-urban / Bigger Village Panchayats, it is requested to approve Rs. 300 crore for establishment of Micro Composting Centres (MCC) during the year 2019-20.
Hansraj Verma, the Additional Chief Secretary of Rural Development and Panchayat Department and K. Baskaran, the Director of Rural Development and Panchayat Department participated in the meeting.