L-G Mathur launches 100-day campaign to provide assured water supply to schools in Ladakh

Lakh Lt Goverr R K Mathur on Saturday launched 100-day campaign to provide assured portable water supply to schools and anganwi centres in Union Territory, an official spokesman said.He also promised opening of drinking water quality testing labs under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) Har Ghar Jal.

Lakh has 907 schools and 1140 anganwi centres, out of which 258 Schools and 401 anganwi centres do t have reliable and functional water supply, spokesman said, ding that during next 100 days, all such schools and anganwi centres would be provided functional tap connection by UT ministration.Launching field test kits (FTKs) training to panchayats for drinking water quality testing here, Mathur appreciated efforts of Public Health Engineering (PHE) department for its efforts towards successful implementation of JJM in UT so far.

However, he underlined need to ensure due participation of public representatives, Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members and general public during implementation of scheme at all levels.

He also stressed on a proper blend of techlogy and tritional methods of water manment to ensure assured water supply to local populations.

Earlier, Commissioner Secretary PHE Ajeet Kumar Sahu apprised L-G about objectives of JJM, strategy, safe and secure drinking water supply manment, preparatory steps, planning and implementation and or related aspects to connect each and every household of Lakh with piped water supply by year 2022-23.Sahu, who also hes Irrigation and Flood Control and Urban Development, also informed him about present status of functional household tap connections (FHTCs) and year-wise action plan, and target to be completed in four phases by 2022-23, spokesman said.

He also enumerated status of drinking water quality monitoring, testing of drinking water sources and delivery points in Leh and Kargil districts besides status of NABL accreditation of drinking water testing laboratories.Later, commissioner secretary and members of Smart Cities Mission informed L-G about various consultative meetings with stakeholders in Leh and Kargil districts for starting up of projects under mission with requisite core infrastructure, clean and sustainable environment, application of smart solutions and overall improvement of quality of life of citizens.

For purpose of implementation of Smart Cities Mission, action plan is being prepared and core committees have also been constituted for concept and policy decisions while a website is being launched by end of this month for public consultations, spokesman said.

As a part of his two-day tour to district, Mathur also convened a meeting with Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahm Khan and executive councillors wherein a number of issues pertaining to development of district besides issues related to winter preparations were discussed in detail, spokesman said.

He said scores of public delegations, including religious, political and social organisations, public representatives, PRI members and individuals also called on L-G and projected ir issues and demands.

L-G assured Executive Council of LAHDC, Kargil and public delegations that all ir issues and concerns would be considered on priority and appropriate steps would be taken to find out reasonable solutions in each case.On first day of his visit, Mathur inaugurated newly established RTPCR Laboratory at COVID-19 dedicated hospital in Kurbathang here and also visited LAHDC Council Secretariat Kargil, and took stock of ongoing work on construction and upgration of Secretariat building.

During course of tour, officers concerned informed L-G that almost 90 per cent work on construction of main building of Secretariat has been completed. 

(IM CREDITS:PTI)