10,000 solar water systems in Maoist-affected areas: Ramesh

New Delhi, May 14 (IANS) The government will install 10,000 solar-based water systems to supply drinking water to the rural communities in 78 Maoist-affected districts in the country, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said here Monday.

"We have just prepared a proposal for 10,000 solar based water systems for the supply of drinking water in the rural communities," Ramesh informed reporters on the sidelines of a workshop "Towards Greening Rural Development Programmes in India: Lessons from International and National Experiences".

While 200 such systems have already been set up in Gadiricholi districts in Maharashtra, the entire project would cost Rs.540 crore, Ramesh said.

"Increasing the use of water efficiency is one of the areas of convergence in rural development and sustainability. Through variety of interventions we can achieve this," said Ramesh in his inaugural address at the workshop.

Ramesh said that rural development interventions offer root not just for improving the quantity but the quality in green cover.

He also pointed out the the convergence in rural development and sustainability can help increase the resilience of local communities to adapt the impact of climate change.