Centre looking to set aside 65% of MGNREGS funds for water works

Chouhan says groundwater levels are continuously depleting

- OUR CORRESPONDENT

A fixed portion of funds under MGNREGS will now be spent on water conservation works, Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Thursday.

Speaking after launching the ‘National Initiative on Water Security’, along with Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, Chouhan said in ‘over-exploited’ blocks, 65% of MGNREGA funds will be used for water-related works, while in ‘semi-critical’ blocks, 40% of MGNREGA funds will be spent on water conservation. In blocks without water scarcity, at least 30% of funds will go towards water-related works, the minister said.