New Delhi/ Dehra Dun, 08 Sep 2006
The World Bank has approved a $120 million loan for improved rural water supply and sanitation in Uttaranchal covering 1.2 million people.
The programme which will launched shortly in all the 13 districts of the state will seek to improve capacity buildings at the gram panchayat level and try to improve the drinking water supply. The gram panchayats are being made nodal agencies for the supply of drinking water in rural areas.
The Uttaranchal Swajal Director Ghambir Singh said the total cost of the programme was around Rs 1,500 crore out of which the World Bank would be funding 33 per cent. The rest of the amount would be jointly funded by the state government as well as the , he added.
Uttaranchal has prioritised rural water supply and sanitation as an important part of its development agenda and expects to achieve universal coverage of safe and potable water and sanitation by 2010.
“The World Bank’s arm, the International Development Association (IDA), made the 35 year loan which has 10 year grace period,” said Singh.
News Source: http://www.business-standard.com
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