India will see cheaper domestic water purifiers

Domestic water purifiers will become cheaper and it will cost less to set up water supply facilities. But the budget is dry on whether there will be more water in every home. The FM has exempted membrane-based water purification devices as well as non-electric domestic water filters from excise duties. He also offers excise exemption for pipes carrying water from supply plants to storage facilities. But, beyond this, there is little to celebrate, be it on water for drinking or irrigation. The conundrum called the National Rain fed Area Authority epitomises the confusion through which finance minister P Chidambaram proposes to steer the allocations on water. The authority formed after at least two discussions in the Cabinet and the PM's intervention to settle finally got a paltry Rs 100 crore, more as a placatory gesture than serious intent. The FM, saddled with turf wars over what is always a lucrative area of investment, was still able to push through money on several schemes, while maintaining a balance between warring ministries. On the Rajiv Gandhi Drinking Water Mission, managed by the rural development ministry, the FM declared, "I propose to enhance the allocation for the mission from Rs 4,680 crore in 2006-07 to Rs 5,850 crore in 2007-08." On the Total Sanitation Campaign, the budget proposes to increase the provision from Rs 720 crore to Rs 954 crore.

Courtesy:EconomicTimes
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