'Major part of water scheme to be over by 2017 end'

Noting that the Telangana government aims to complete major portion of its ambitious scheme to supply piped drinking water by end of 2017, a state minister today said the programme would be funded from extra-budgetary resources.
In his reply to a question on the scheme by BJP floor leader K Laxman and others in the Legislative Assembly, state Panchayat Raj Minister K T Rama Rao said 22,224 habitations of 99 constituencies (total 119) are proposed to be covered by 2018 under the scheme.
"The government has given administrative sanction to works worth Rs 36,976.54 crore," he said.
Observing that Union Rural Development Minister Rao Birender Singh has also appreciated the project, the minister said that the state government has sought funds from the Centre and NITI Aayog.

"The government has taken loans from government institutions, including Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO) and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)," he said adding that the state government is in consultation with State Bank and a consortium of banks.
Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has already said that his party would not seek votes in the next elections (in 2019) if the drinking water is not supplied to the people, the minister said.

Laxman queried about the requirement of funds for the scheme and its repayment.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition (Congress) K Jana Reddy, who spoke on the 2016-17 Budget for the second day, felt that it requires Rs six lakh crores to fulfil the ruling party's promises.

There is no progress in implementation of promises like double bed room houses for the poor, three acres of land, 12 per cent reservation each for minorities and STs and promoting industrialisation, he alleged.