State Water and Sanitation Mission Apex Committee Meeting Held Under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary

Raipur / A high-level important meeting of the Apex Committee of the State Water and Sanitation Mission was held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Shri Vikasheel. The meeting focused on the smooth operation, maintenance, and regular monitoring of the infrastructure developed under the Jal Jeevan Mission in the state after its construction. Several important instructions were given in the meeting regarding the continuous supply of pure drinking water and water conservation in rural areas. The Chief Secretary directed the departmental officials to ensure the availability of pure drinking water in all tribal settlements in the state. Officials from the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Government of India, participated in the meeting via video conferencing.

The Chief Secretary gave strict instructions to ensure regular water supply in the state and to continuously and rigorously test the purity of drinking water. A detailed action plan and strategy for the effective implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 were discussed in depth during the meeting. In particular, resources and frameworks were reviewed to ensure adequate drinking water arrangements in backward tribal settlements. Emphasis was placed on the judicious use of groundwater and promoting the conservation and protection of water sources.

The current progress and financial payments of solar and retrofitting as well as bulk water schemes being operated in the state were reviewed in detail. Important decisions were taken regarding the appointment of District Technical Unit and Project Management Unit to technically and managerially strengthen the activities of the Jal Jeevan Mission.

Proposals for adequate arrangements of clean drinking water in settlements of particularly vulnerable tribal groups were approved. A proposal regarding ensuring drinking water supply in special areas and settlements was discussed. Proposals for administrative approval of rural group water supply schemes were discussed in detail. Proposals presented for the approval of rates of tenders received under 12 rural group water supply schemes were approved. The new draft of the (Operations and Maintenance Policy) for the long-term operation and maintenance of water supply schemes was discussed in detail.

Emphasis was placed on the training of employees and strengthening public participation under the Jal Jeevan Mission during the meeting. Officials were directed to increase the active participation of Gram Panchayats and local communities for the long-term and successful operation of the schemes.

The meeting was attended by Secretary of Finance and Public Relations Department Dr. Rohit Yadav, Secretary of Public Health Engineering Department Shri Mohammad Abdul Kaiser Haque, Mission Director of Jal Jeevan Mission Shri Remigius Ekka, along with senior officials from Women and Child Development, Panchayat and Rural Development Department, School Education, and other departments.