The Times of India 15.07.2009
Water purifying plants in 1100 mandals
HYDERABAD: The stage is set for installing reverse osmosis water purifying plants in 1100 mandals across the state on August 15. This decision was taken on Tuesday at a high level meeting with departments of rural water supply, panchayat raj and rural development chaired by the chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, the rural water supply minister P Viswarup said that the village where the pilot plant will be set up will be identified on the basis of population. The village with highest population in the mandal will be the criteria. Depending upon the size of the population, plants with 1000 to 2000 litres capacity would be installed.
These plants will be maintained by self help groups and they would be provided with 100 percent loans to buy the equipment to be repaid in 10 years at 3 percent interest. The government would provide land for installing the plant and supply power at a concessional rate. The design of all the buildings where these plants would be installed will be standard designs, he said. The self help groups will run and maintain these plants for a period of ten years.
He said that the officials of the three related departments would meet again on July 20 to shortlist the suppliers. About 30 suppliers had come forward and are offering the units at a cost of Rs one to two lakhs depending upon the capacity of the units.
The government is also examining the possibility of supplying water at rate lesser than Rs 2 for 20 litres to SC-ST families. The government is also examining the Kondal Rao committee report on the scheme, he said but did not explain further.
Asked if the government had considered the negative impact of these plants on underground water, the minister said that they were examining if it was possible to have dual process units so that the waste water could be used for washing clothes etc. He felt that it was boon for the people since it would help prevent water-borne diseases in rural areas.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, the rural water supply minister P Viswarup said that the village where the pilot plant will be set up will be identified on the basis of population. The village with highest population in the mandal will be the criteria. Depending upon the size of the population, plants with 1000 to 2000 litres capacity would be installed.
These plants will be maintained by self help groups and they would be provided with 100 percent loans to buy the equipment to be repaid in 10 years at 3 percent interest. The government would provide land for installing the plant and supply power at a concessional rate. The design of all the buildings where these plants would be installed will be standard designs, he said. The self help groups will run and maintain these plants for a period of ten years.
He said that the officials of the three related departments would meet again on July 20 to shortlist the suppliers. About 30 suppliers had come forward and are offering the units at a cost of Rs one to two lakhs depending upon the capacity of the units.
The government is also examining the possibility of supplying water at rate lesser than Rs 2 for 20 litres to SC-ST families. The government is also examining the Kondal Rao committee report on the scheme, he said but did not explain further.
Asked if the government had considered the negative impact of these plants on underground water, the minister said that they were examining if it was possible to have dual process units so that the waste water could be used for washing clothes etc. He felt that it was boon for the people since it would help prevent water-borne diseases in rural areas.