The condition of mandatory ten per cent contribution for implementation of piped water schemes in the rural areas has been abolished. Public Health Engineering Minister Choudhary Chandrabhan Singh has informed that orders to this effect have been issued today by the department. He informed that this decision would lead to intensification of piped water schemes' implementation. The Public Health Engineering Minister said that in 2001 a decision was taken by the department that the Panchayats would have to contribute 10 percent of the total cost of piped water schemes to be implemented in their respective areas. Due to this decision, new piped water schemes were not being implemented for the last six years since the economic condition of Gram Panchayats was not sound as a result of which it was difficult for them to contribute ten percent of the total cost of a piped water scheme. This was also adversely affecting the schemes sanctioned by the department as they were not being implemented due to Panchayats failing to contribute stipulated ten percent amount. In view of Gram Panchayats' financial problems, the state government has abolished the condition of ten percent contribution. This decision would lead to implementation of department's piped water supply schemes which had been pending since years together. It may be mentioned that as many as 3,500 piped water schemes have been sanctioned for various districts but so far the stipulated amount of contribution was received for only 84 schemes and less than stipulated contribution was received for 468 schemes while no contribution was submitted for rest of the schemes. Keeping these difficulties in view, the state cabinet had taken the decision in this regard recently orders of which have been issued today by the department. Public Health Engineering Minister Choudhary Chandrabhan Singh said that in the wake of this decision hopes of rural people for getting rid of potable water crisis soon have been rekindled. Besides, hurdles in the implementation of department's schemes would also be removed.