To ensure safety of electrical equipments at water supply systems, Water Resources, Drinking Water and Sanitation Minister Chandra Prakash Chaudhary ordered lightning conductors to be installed at drinking water supply projects.
While reviewing the progress of projects undertaken by his Department on Wednesday, Chaudhary was angered by Chas drinking water project being out of service for prolonged period of time. In reply to his queries for explanation, engineers informed him that three motors of the project have been damaged by lightning strike recently.
In light of this clarification, the Minister ordered lightning conductors to be put up at all drinking water supply projects as a safeguard for paraphernalia running them. He directed Superintendent Engineer, Dhanbad to get the dysfunctional motor at Chas drinking water project repaired or replaced and reinstate water supply in the region.
Dissatisfied with the progress of Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojna, he ordered concerned officials to issue administrative approval for the schemes recommended by Members of Parliament and begin work on them in right earnest.
Chaudhary instructed engineers looking after Kudu and Akasi drinking water projects, which are presently not functional, in strict words to start them within one week.
“Find out the amount disbursed against the decisions of Niti Aayog and begin work in districts like Chatra, Hazaribagh, Godda, Chaibasa, Ramgarh and Dhanbad. Hire personnel on contractual-basis for look after maintenance of drinking water supply projects being run by the Department,” Chaudhary instructed the present officials.
He further added, “Pinpoint the places that experienced severe water crisis in the recent dry spell and prepare a plan of action for this so that problems can be solved before summers next year.”
Chaudhary ordered filtration units on war footing in areas where drinking water is infested with arsenic, fluoride and iron. Drinking water will be soon supplied across Dhanbad, Ramgarh and Chatra through pipeline, he said.
Water supply projects not functioning presently should be rejuvenated with solar energy, Chaudhary ordered. Work for construction of individual household toilets under Swachchh Bharat Mission is almost complete too, he stated.
Meanwhile, Chaudhary wrote to Chief Minister Raghubar Das, demanding 27 per cent reservation for backward classes in government jobs and educational institutions.
In his letter, Chaudhary has pointed out that 54 per cent people residing in Jharkhand belong to backward classes. Considering this, their representation in Government and semi-Government jobs and positions is very low, he has added.
To substantiate his claim for reservation, Chaudhary mentioned the recommendations of National Commission for Backward Classes and High Court and Supreme Court decisions on this matter.