Irrigation and Public Health Minister Ravinder Singh Ravi said that Government was making concerted efforts to provide drinking water facility to left-out habitations in the State. So far 41418 habitations had been provided with drinking water facilities. He was presiding over a review meeting of the department.
He said that as many as 8411 Drinking Water Supply Schemes (DWSS) were being implemented in the State. He said that 2181 habitations were covered under the scheme till February, 2012 against the targeted 2557 habitations during the current financial year.
He said that all the census villages had been provided with drinking water facilities. Apart from this 19511 habitations were provided drinking water facility during last four years by the present State Government.
Minister said that as per survey report conducted by an independent agency, 84 percent of households had been provided with tap drinking water facility during last four years. He said that 2257 handpumps were installed during current financial year and 10235 handpumps had been installed by the present Government during last four years.
The Minister said that 242 habitations were provided drinking water facility in Shimla, Una and Arki Divisions during current financial year. Besides 45 hectares area had been provided with irrigation facility under Shimla IPH circle.
He directed officers to speed up the work of schemes sanctioned under NABARD in a time bound manner and said that every panchayat in the State should be ensured with water testing kits and its proper use. T. G. Negi, Principal Secretary, I&PH detailed out the activities of the department. Senior officers of I&PH department attended the meeting.
