The government will give more attention on strengthening water supply and sanitation in rural areas of the country during the 12th five year plan. The Rural Development Minister, Jairam Ramesh said this while speaking at a Workshop of State Secretaries of Rural water supply and Sanitation in New Delhi on Monday.

He said that government wants a fundamental change in these areas and advocated for stepping up public investments. He said that his ministry will soon introduce a scheme this year to incentivise local communities of the gram panchayat to strengthen the water management with an estimated cost of 1000 crore rupees. He said that the cabinet is expected to take a decision on this scheme within a week.

Mr Ramesh also said that the government is also considering on a proposal of introducing a Integrated Habitat Development scheme from the next year by converging the three exiting schemes namely Rural Housing, Rural Drinking Water and Total Sanitation Campaign Schemes. Highlighting the details of the scheme, Mr Ramesh said, this will facilitate integrated development of habitations and help improving health parameters in rural areas.