As frequent power cuts are still continuing in most parts of the State contrary to the advisory issued by the Energy Department to power distribution companies (discoms), the State Government has directed these companies and the district Collectors to ensure uninterrupted power supply to rural piped water supply projects (PWSP) this summer to provide safe drinking water.
A joint letter of Rural Development Secretary CJ Venugopal and Energy Secretary PK Jena to all district Collectors said that some piped water supply systems are not functioning due to non-supply of power to the projects and there are problems like low voltage and burning of transformers. Therefore, the matter may be looked on a priority basis. Suitable instructions have been issued to the discoms to take necessary steps to sort out the problems in close coordination with the concerned officials.
The district Collectors have been asked to ensure that the targeted rural beneficiaries do not suffer due to non-supply of safe drinking water from the PWSPs. Under the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP), the State Government has sunk about 3.60 lakh tube-wells and set up 9,000 PWSPs to provide safe drinking water to rural people.
The discoms seem to have refused to pay heed to the order of the Energy Department to end power cuts and provide uninterrupted quality power to the consumers. Meanwhile, Venugopal, in a separate letter, has asked the Collectors to ensure safe drinking water by carrying out repairs and maintenance of the tube-wells.