G.O.(Ms) No.139, Drought, Water scarcity, Financial Assistance to combat drinking water scarcity
Revenue [DM-III(1)] Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, issued G.O.(Ms) No.139 dated 21.03.2015 to sanction Rs.95.50 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund for drinking water scarcity relief and related mitigation works in drought affected areas. The money is allocated to named districts, urban and rural local body channels, Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board, Town Panchayats, and Animal Husbandry, with directions that funds must be used only for actual need, not diverted without prior Government orders, and any balance must be surrendered.
What this government order does
Revenue [DM-III(1)] Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, issued G.O.(Ms) No.139 dated 21.03.2015 after deficit rainfall and reported drinking water scarcity in parts of several districts. It sanctions Rs.95.50 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund to carry out water scarcity mitigation measures and drinking water supply relief works.
Why the funds were sanctioned
The source text says that during the Northeast Monsoon 2014, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Ariyalur, Tiruchirapalli, Kancheepuram, Virudhunagar, Madurai and Perambalur districts received deficit rainfall. District Collectors from those districts, and also from Dharmapuri, Thoothukudi, Villupuram, Thanjavur, Ramanathapuram and Karur, sought funds for water supply works.
The proposals were also forwarded through the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department for urban local bodies.
Works covered
The source text lists these mitigation works for drinking water supply:
- Drilling of borewells
- Source augmentation
- Rejuvenation works to pump set
- Mobile water supply through lorries
- Providing sintex tanks
- Replacement of pipe lines
- Erection of mini power pumps
- Erection of hand pumps
Who gets the money
District allocations
The district side allocation totals Rs.66.50 crore, including:
- Vellore, Rs.20.00 crore, out of this Rs.5 crore especially for Vellore Corporation
- Tiruvannamalai, Rs.10.00 crore
- Kancheepuram, Rs.5.00 crore
- Thiruchirappalli, Rs.5.00 crore
- Virudhunagar, Rs.5.00 crore
- Madurai, Rs.5.00 crore
- Perambalur, Rs.3.00 crore
- Ariyalur, Rs.2.00 crore
- Remaining 23 districts, other than Chennai District, at Rs.50 lakhs per district, total Rs.11.50 crore
Department allocations
The department side allocation totals Rs.29.00 crore:
- Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Rs.10.00 crore
- Director of Municipal Administration, Rs.10.00 crore
- Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board, Rs.5.00 crore
- Town Panchayat, Rs.3.00 crore
- Animal Husbandry, Rs.1.00 crore
Why this matters to the public
This is a funding sanction for emergency drinking water and related drought relief works. It matters mainly if you live, own property, manage local infrastructure, or work in affected districts or local bodies where these water supply measures may be taken up.
Conditions on use of funds
The source text requires that:
- Heads of department must ensure earmarking and expenditure as per plan
- Expenditure must be restricted to actual requirement
- Any balance amount must be surrendered
- Funds must not be diverted without prior orders of Government
- Utilisation certificates must be sent to Government
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Does Revenue [DM-III(1)] Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, give money for private borewells or private property works here?
The source text does not say that private owners can claim money directly. It sanctions funds to District Collectors, departments, boards and local body channels for public drinking water scarcity mitigation works.
Which water scarcity works are specifically mentioned in G.O.(Ms) No.139 dated 21.03.2015?
The listed works are drilling of borewells, source augmentation, rejuvenation works to pump set, mobile water supply through lorries, providing sintex tanks, replacement of pipe lines, erection of mini power pumps and erection of hand pumps.
Was Chennai District included in the district allocation?
The district allocation for the remaining 23 districts is stated to be other than Chennai District. Separately, Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board is allotted Rs.10.00 crore for works in Chennai City.
Can the sanctioned money be used for something else later?
No. The source text says funds shall not be diverted without prior orders of Government, expenditure must be limited to actual requirement, and any balance amount should be surrendered.
