Give reasons.

The Rural Water Supply scheme was started.

The necessity to give attention to public hygiene and health care facilities is the underlying factor behind various schemes that were a part of the first five year plans. The problems related to year round provision of drinking water, toilets, open drainage, narrow roads, inadequate electrification and medical facilities were responsible for the collective development scheme.

The state of Maharashtra registered remarkable achievements after the launch of various programmes under this scheme including the Rural Water Supply Scheme. It was started during the 1970s for sinking wells and provision of piped water. Additionally, by 1971, 1677 small dams had also been built.