2,000 handpumps for state

To solve the problem of drinking water in the rural areas, 2,000 handpumps would be installed in various parts of the state, said Irrigation and Public Health (IPH) Minister Ravinder Ravi, while talking to mediapersons at the Circuit House today. He said in order to streamline the working of various departments, an award of Rs 2.5 lakh would be given to the best department. He said the drinking water schemes for Nahan would be released so that pending sewerage system of Rs 14 crore can be approved.

He said it was unfortunate that the Union government had cut the supply of rice for BPL and antyodya families. He said the state government has urged the Centre to release the full quota of rice and increase the quota for refined oil from one kilogram to two kilogram per family. He said the state government has increased subsidy budget from Rs 90 crore to Rs 141 crore for 2008-09. He blamed the previous Congress regime for encouraging corruption in the state.

Later he went to Paonta and laid the foundation stone for drinking water and irrigation schemes at Kiratpur, Fatehpur, Kishanpura and Badaripur. He also presided over the closing ceremony of Yamuna Sharad Mahotsava at Paonta Sahib.