Deshmukh underlines need to ensure sustainability of water resources in rural areas

New Delhi, May 10 (ANI): Union Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today underlined the need to ensure the sustainability of water resources in rural areas of the country.

Addressing the first meeting of National Drinking Water and Sanitation council (NDWSC) here, Deshmukh called upon the council members to explore how to make optimal use of available water sources, and to ensure the best possible means for recycling of water so that the dependence on groundwater is reduced.

Deshmukh also said that there is an urgent need to improve the availability of domestic water supply in view of an increase in population and number of habitations and at the same time to cope up with the increasing demand of sectors like agriculture and industry.

He called upon the council members to discuss areas of convergence with the various government schemes such as Mahatma Gandhi NREGA, Indira Awas Yojana, National Rural Health Mission, Schemes of Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Water Resources to provide safe drinking Water and sanitation to every household in the rural area.

This is the first meeting of the high level committee, headed by Deshmukh, aimed at bringing inter-sectoral convergence and coordination between the Centre and States.

It also provides an opportunity to seek inputs from experts in the field of drinking water and sanitation.

The deliberations are expected to bring in greater inter- sectoral convergence and coordination between Ministries/Departments at the Centre, between the Centre and the States and with representatives of scientific and educational institutions and civil society organizations in the areas of rural water supply and sanitation. (ANI)