There are many sources of natural water in the mountainous areas of the State and efforts should be made to utilise them for removing the problem of potable water in the villages. The education and potable water Minister Mantri Prasad Naithani made this observation while addressing a review meeting of officials of Jan Sansthan here on Thursday.
He asked the officials to work on war footing to ensure regular drinking water supply. He asked officials to submit a report within a month. He claimed that 80 per cent of natural water sources of State could be tapped for potable water. The Minister was told the 8880 hand pumps are installed in State out of 8501 are in working mode. He was told that remaining 379 hand pumps would be repaired soon. Officials said that 65 per cent of existing drinking water schemes in the urban areas are old causing water scarcity in summer. Proposals for improving these schemes should be submitted to the State Government, said Naithani.
Naithani pulled up the officers for not submitting the progress report of the problem of potable water. In one of his previous meetings he had asked the officers to prepare reports. He said that he would soon convene a meeting of all MlAs and would inquire about the drinking water problems. He also approved establishment of new divisions of Jal Sansthan at Karnprayag, Haldwani and Purola. Additional secretary Potable Water, Arjun Singh, Chief GM Jal Sansthan S K Gupta and GM (Dehradun/Garhwal) PC Kimothi among others were present in the meeting.