BHUBANESWAR: The State is seriously lagging behind in the implementation of the rural pipe water supply programme under the Central-sponsored Swajaldhara scheme despite availability of sufficient central assistance. While the Centre sanctioned 1,475 projects during 2002-06 with a project outlay of Rs 51.73 crore including community contribution of Rs 4.98 crore, 1,203 projects have been completed by June-end. The remaining 272 projects are at various stages of execution. The Centre has so far released Rs 39.80 crore and the community contribution of Rs 4.56 crore has also been received. However, the Government has been able to utilise Rs 33.34 crore out of a total receipts of Rs 44.37 crore. As per the 2003 survey, the total rural habitations of the State is 1,41,368. According to official statistics, more than 2.56 lakh tube-wells, 8,303 sanitary wells, 184 spring-based water sources and 1,542 rural piped water supply projects are in place. The Rural Development Department claimed to have commissioned 416 pipe water supply projects, installed 6,269 tube-wells, sunk 349 sanitary wells in 2007-08. Drinking water from additional 16 spring-based sources were provided. With a major shift in the policy to cover villages and habitations with pipe water supply scheme, the Government made budgetary provision for 6,594 projects. However, 803 projects were taken up in water quality affected villages. Besides, Centre also approved 770 projects for habitations facing drinking water problems in February. Rural Development Minister BB Harichandan announced in June that 2,000 pipe water projects will be completed in the current financial year and the Government has planned to cover 35 percent rural population under pipe water scheme. However, the progress of implementation is not very enthusiastic. As 10 percent community contribution was a major obstacle in the implementation of projects, the Centre has asked the State to share 20 percent of the project cost. Besides, pipe water supply will be provided to villages or gram panchayats which have achieved total sanitation. In its last meeting, the Assembly Standing Committee on Rural Development Department pulled up the Government for the slow progress in the implemnetation of the pipe water scheme.