Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reviewed the progress of various healthcare initiatives, National Rural Drinking Water Programme and Swachchh Vidyalaya Programme and directed the officials to further streamline and expedite the progress on these ongoing schemes.
At a briefing on progress of healthcare initiatives and India’s progress towards Millennium Development Goals, Modi said that an evaluation should be made on the contribution of Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan towards improvement of health indicators.
The PM called for documentation and adaptation of best practices in the healthcare sector across the country, to enable their rapid scaling up for maximum benefit. He also noted that “huge” strides were being made in Human Development Index and social parameters like a significant fall in the Total Fertility Rate (TFR).
While underscoring that the benefits of low TFR should be brought before the people across the country, he asked the Health Ministry to keep an eye on acute health problems affecting specific parts of the country like Japanese Encephalitis in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. At the meeting attended by Health Minister JP Nadda, the PM also sought emphasis on healthcare initiatives for the urban poor.
Reviewing the progress of the Swachh Vidyalaya Programme with top officials from the Ministry of Human Resource Development, the NITI Aayog and the PMO, the PM noted that several states are already close to achieving the hundred percent target. He directed the concerned officials to focus on these states immediately so that the task is completed by August 15.
Observing specifically the gaps in implementation of the targets accepted by some PSUs and some private sector entities, Modi directed the officials to look into these issues so that these organizations can also meet their targets within the stipulated timeframe.
The PM had announced from the ramparts of the Red Fort during his Independence Day address last year the Government’s resolve to construct toilets in all schools within one year.
At the meeting that was also attended by Human Resources Development Minister Smriti Irani, the PM was informed about the current status of construction of toilets in schools across various states. Toilets are being constructed by States, PSUs, as well as some private sector entities.
The PM has directed Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth, and OSD in the Cabinet Secretariat PK Sinha to personally review the figures being reported from various parts in the country so that any bottlenecks in the full implementation of the vision of “Swachh Vidyalaya” initiative can be removed expeditiously.
Chairing another meeting on National Rural Drinking Water Programme, the PM stressed on the need to make water conservation an integral part of all water supply initiatives. He said that while planning for rural areas, a clear provision should be made for the water requirements of cattle and other related needs. Union Minister for Union Minister of Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Sanitation and Drinking Water, Chaudhary Birender Singh was present at the meeting.