From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Mar 13: In view of the worsening drinking water supply situation in over 100 villages in different parts of the State, the State Government has released Rs 130 crore to various districts to supply water in tankers to villages.

Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Jagadish Shettar said various steps, including installation of units to defluoridate the water, have been taken to ensure potable water to residents.

Ten villages in Dharwad district have been facing acute shortage of drinking water, he said.

The Minister said about 300 multi-village schemes would become operational in several districts of the State soon for checking wastage of surface water.

Water harvesting scheme was also implemented in drought-prone areas of the State.
Pointing out that proposals worth Rs 1400 crore proposal submitted to the Central Government seeking funds under the Pradan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana were still pending, Shettar said he soon would meet Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh to seek early release of funds.

The funds would be used to upgrade 1400 km rural roads in the State.

Earlier, the Centre had rejected the proposal on the ground that the funds would be sanctioned only for connectivity to villages and not for upgradation of roads, he said.