Union minister, CM review piped water supply scheme

Ranchi: Union minister for Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, reviewed the progress and implementation of the Centre’s “Har Ghar Nal Yojana” on Thursday afternoon and urged the deputy commissioners of all districts to ensure the implementation of piped water supply to the rural households.
Shekhawat arrived at Ranchi’s Birsa Munda International Airport in the morning and drove to chief minister Hemant Soren’s residence on Kanke Road. The duo then went to the Project Building and huddled into a meeting where senior officials of the ministry and officials of the state government were present.
The state government revealed in the meeting that 17.57 lakh rural households across 24 districts have been provided with piped water connections. Of them, 14.12 lakh connections were given in the last three years. “The CM in the meeting said 630 villages, 105 panchayats and one block have been provided with 100% connectivity,” a statement issued by the government after the meeting said. “Lax attitude in implementing the last-mile connectivity of piped water supplies and Swacch Bharat Mission (open defecation free) activities will not be tolerated. These two schemes need to be completed by 2024,” Soren was quoted as saying in the meeting.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Soren said the talks were fruitful. “The meeting was held in a very productive environment and the projects being jointly implemented by the Centre and the state were discussed. Work slowed down due to the Covid-19 pandemic but things will speed up now,” he added.