New Delhi April 23: The National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) aims at providing adequate and safe drinking water to the entire rural population of the country. The NRDWP has special provisions to ensure focus on the coverage of the SC & ST population with potable water supply.
In the criteria for fund allocation to states under the NRDWP, the rural SC & ST population of the state has a weightage of 10%. Thus, states with higher SC & ST population get a higher allocation of NRDWP funds. The progress in the coverage of SC & ST concentrated habitations is being monitored through the Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) of the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Govt. of India.
Under the NRDWP, focus is placed on the development of infrastructure in the North Eastern States by providing 10% of NRDWP Central Allocation to these states. In 2011-12, an amount of Rs. 850 cr. has been provided for rural water supply in the NE states. The pattern of funding of NE states has been changed from 50:50 to 90:10 keeping in view the problems faced by the NE states.(SP News)
