10,000 solar-based water systems to be installed in Naxal affected districts

The Centre today announced that 10,000 solar-based water systems will be installed in the 78 maoist-affected districts to meet the challenges of drinking water scarcity in these areas. Rural Development Minister Shri Jairam Ramesh said here that 540 crore rupees have been earmarked for this project and added that 200 such systems have already been set up in Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra. He was speaking at an international workshop on Greening Rural Development Programmes in India. He said, improving water use efficiency is one of the main goals of the Rural Development Ministry and informed that 70 percent of all MGNREGA works are water related works. Shri Ramesh said, besides enhancing the contribution of renewable energy in rural development works, efforts are also being made to improve the expansion of green cover in both qualitative and quantitative terms. He said, plantation of trees can also be taken up along with construction of rural roads under PMGSY. Shri Ramesh also pointed out that the convergence in rural development and sustainability can help increase the resilience of local communities to adapt to the impact of climate change