In a move to tackle the alarming water crisis during this summer, Drinking Water and Sanitation Department has cancelled the leave applications of all employees till June 30. Talking to the media persons at his residential office in Ranchi on Thursday, Drinking Water and Sanitation Department Minister Chandra Prakash Chaudhary said that a toll free number has also been issued on which complaints could be lodged against the non-functional hand pumps across the state.
“To deal with the increasing heat and water crisis in the State and give relief to the people of this State, we have also released a toll free number – 18003456502, so that they can register their complaint regarding non-functional hand pumps in their areas which could be repaired immediately,” said the Minister.
Chaudhary assured that his department has also been working on war footing to quench the thirst of people and will not let water crisis occur in the State at any cost.
Referring to the alarming water crisis in the State capital, Chaudhary further added that his department has been doing alternate arrangements so that people here do not have to wander here and there for water. Releasing a 5 crore project for water conservation in Hatia Dam, he said that the amount will be spent to increase its catchment area so that people here to face any water crisis in future.
“Out of 40 thousand new hand pumps to be installed across the state, 13532 have already been installed while the remaining 26468 hand pumps will be installed very soon,” said the minister.
Counting the achievements of his department, Chaudhary further said that the Water and Sanitation Department is likely to succeed in spending more than 90 per cent of the total budget allocation during the financial year 2015-16.
“We have already spent around 88.6 per cent of the total budget allocation and expect that we will easily cross the mark of 90 per cent this financial year which never happened in the last 15 years,” Chaudhary said. While a total of 81 per cent of the total budget amount was spent in the Water Resources department which was also a record in the last 15 years, he added.
Chaudhary also claimed that his department has been serving 36 per cent of the total urban and rural population of the state and a target of 50 per cent has been fixed for the next financial year.
The minister also announced to achieve the target of constructing 3 lakh toilets in the state.