INDIRA GANDHI DRINKING WATER SCHEME – A LIFE CHANGING INITIATIVE FOR THE POOR

On 19th November, 2006; i.e. 87th Birth Anniversary of late Smt. Indira Gandhi; Department launched a novel scheme for reaching out to each of the 10,00,000 scheduled caste households in Haryana. Scheme aims at providing free water connection to each of the 10,00,000 scheduled caste households including a free HDPE water tank of 200 liters capacity, construction of a three-feet wide cemented platform in every scheduled caste household for installation of this water tank and installation of a float ball and a tap at the bottom of this water tank. Scheme envisages bearing the entire cost of aforesaid equipments including cost of water pipe to be installed in every scheduled caste household. Total cost would be Rs.4,000/- per household approximately. Scheme further envisages setting up of additional water source or augmentation of existing water source in every scheduled caste locality. Upto 31st March, 2010; 8,70,927 scheduled caste households have been covered under the scheme. On its implementation, this unique scheme would cost Rs.400 crores. Haryana is the only State to implement this scheme out of its own budgetary provisions. Congress President & UPA Chairperson, Smt. Sonia Gandhi as also Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh have lauded this initiative.