The Centre today said that it is working for drinking water security for all people in the rural areas. It has asked the states to ensure that the drinking water sources are tested on regular basis so that the people are able to get potable water. Responding to a Calling Attention motion on presence of arsenic and other harmful minerals in potable water, in the Rajya Sabha, the Rural Development Minister, Dr C P Joshi said that the states should give the highest priority to tackling the problem of arsenic, fluoride and iron in the affected habitations. He said, constant vigilance and monitoring is required for safe drinking water. He also said that the Centre is providing technical and financial assistance under the National Rural Drinking Water Programme and hundred per cent financial assistance to the states for technical quality monitoring and surveillance activities. Initiating a discussion, Mr Prabhat Jha of the BJP alleged that the Centre is not taking effective steps for monitoring the areas affected by contaminated water. Ms Sushila Tiria of the Congress said that the primary responsibility lies with the states.<br/>AIR Correspondent reports that 1.80 lakh rural habitations in the country are facing the problems of quality drinking water. West Bengal is the worst affected with arsenic contamination. Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Rajasthan are also affected by the problem, which can cause serious health problems including cancer, kurtosis and melanosis. At least 10 states are also facing the problem of contamination of fluoride which causes fluorosis and damage to bones, teeth and muscles.