Tuesday, January 31 2006 12:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Distressed over the 'woefully inadequate' system to meet the demand for safe and guaranteed water supply, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today(Jan 31,2006) unveiled a five-pronged strategy to ensure availability of safe drinking water and said panchayats and local institutions had a major role to play.

"Firstly, we must eliminate the backlog and provide safe water to all remaining habitations which are either uncovered or have slipped back from full coverage. Secondly, we must address problems of water quality," he said inaugurating the two-day conference of State and Union Territory ministers incharge of rural drinking water supply and rural sanitation.

He said the three other aspects were entrusting the responsibility of water supply management to local institutions and building their capacity in the management of water supply; improving comprehensive management of water supply by strengthening management of the environment; and mobilizing communities to spread awareness of the link between good health and safe water supply.

Promising that funds would not be a constraint in the implementation of these vital programmes, Singh said the Centre had increased the allocation to Rs 4,050 crore in 2005-06 compared to Rs 2,900 crore in the previous year, marking a 40 per cent increase.