Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 19: Minister for Public Health Engineering, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Sharma today asked the PHE authorities to explore the possibility of augmentation and revival of depleted water supply schemes in the State.
This direction was given by the Minister during an introduction meeting with the Chief Engineers, Superintending Engineers of Jammu division here today.
The meeting, was attended by Commissioner/Secretary, PHE Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Chief Engineer PHE Jammu Ashwani Sharma, Chief Engineer Irrigation K. K. Gupta, Chief Engineer Ravi Tawi R. K. Badyal, JD Planning, FCO, and all SEs of Jammu division and senior engineers.
During the meeting, the Minister took serious note regarding leakages in the pipe system, face lifting and cleanliness of PHE operations and proper maintaining of the execution of PHE works. He issued strict instructions to the Chief Engineer and the Superintending Engineers to plug in all the leakages in distribution system within 15 days and also toning up of all the pumping stations including their face lifting and cleanliness. He also gave instructions to the concerned authorities that dug up work should not be left open and all excavated pits should be covered.
Sham also directed that the concerned JEs of the area as well as the Assistant Executive Engineers of the area should remain in the field at least four and three days respectively. He further instructed that all the field staff wherever they are posted should remain at their headquarters. Action will be initiated against the officers, who do not comply with instructions.
During the meeting, the details regarding ongoing projects under special task force work were also reviewed including WSS schemes for Katra town at an estimated cost of Rs 47.42 crore, WSS scheme Naigah Kishtwar at an estimated cost of Rs 53.15 crore and shifting of existing irrigation network for expansion of Jammu Airport.
The Minister was informed by the Commissioner Secretary PHE that to ensure potability of drinking water 43 laboratories are in place. Work on 214 treatment plants for treating chloride, iron, salinity etc. and sulphur affected water resources at an estimated cost of over Rs 44.87 crore has been launched out of which as many as 45 have been completed.
The Minister was informed that 4360 schools were covered under the National Rural Drinking Programme (NRDWP) scheme with Central assistance of Rs 456.61 crore.
The Minister asked concerned authorities to fulfil the stipulated targets this fiscal.
The Minister also directed the concerned authorities to detach the all the attached JEs, AEs and AEEs with immediate effect.
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