The World Bank aided second phase of the rural drinking water supply scheme 'Jalanidhi' with a total outlay of Rs. 1,000 crore would begin next month, Kerala Water Resources Minister N K Preamchandran said here today.

The detailed project report of the scheme was now under the evaluation of the World bank and government expect a favourable decision soon, Preamchandran told reporters here.

The World Bank had in principle accepted the project that would benefit population of 200 villages in different parts of the state, he said.

The state government was not waiting for the World bank to accord sanction for the loan to start the project, he said.

In the inital stages, the project would be implemented in 30 selected villages. State Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan would inaugurate the project, he said.

The contribution of beneficiaries would be 10 per cent, 15 per cent that of Local bodies and 75 per cent World Bank component, he said adding in the first phase of Jalanidhi project the beneficiereis share was 15 per cent.

In the case of sc/st, the benefeciary share would be only 7 per cent, he added. Government was also planning to include this facility of sc/st to fishermen community, he said.

Panchayats have been given more powers in the implementation of the project, he added.