Lucknow: Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh has directed that in villages where water supply has already been started, any problem reported by residents must be resolved by officials and staff within 24 hours, so that people don’t have to face ongoing difficulties over water supply. The minister issued these instructions on Monday while reviewing the progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission. He gave officials a stern warning that if any complaint about water supply comes in from anywhere, the officials and staff found responsible will be identified and action taken against them, adding that no negligence would be tolerated. The review meeting was attended by Minister of State for Jal Shakti Ramkesh Nishad, the Managing Director of Jal Nigam (Rural), the Executive Director of the State Drinking Water and Sanitation Mission, and several other senior department officials.
Repair Roads Damaged by Pipeline Work Without Delay
During the review, the minister said roads damaged during pipeline-laying work should be repaired immediately. He warned that if complaints come in about road restoration work anywhere, those responsible would not be spared under any circumstances. Singh cautioned district officials that carelessness in this regard would not be tolerated, calling it a final warning — after which, he said, officials found responsible would be attached to the department headquarters.
The minister also directed officials to visit villages themselves and assess the actual impact of the Jal Jeevan Mission on the ground — particularly looking at the reduction in waterborne diseases and the broader positive changes it has brought to villagers’ lives — and to use these visits to raise awareness among people about clean and safe drinking water.
Speed Up ‘Jal Arpan’ Ceremonies
Singh noted that most Jal Jeevan Mission projects have already been completed ahead of schedule. He said that in villages where tap water supply work has been completed, ‘Jal Arpan’ ceremonies should be organised, and that officials should help people understand the significance of these ceremonies and hold as many of them as possible. The minister also directed that Jal Chaupals be held regularly in every district, and that officials engage with elected representatives and keep them updated on the mission’s progress through the online portal and the ‘Jal Sarathi’ app.
