Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 16: Stressing on generating mass awareness and coordinated efforts by all stakeholders for ensuring optimal use of water, the Minister for Public Health Engineering, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sukhnandan Kumar said that emphasis should be laid on sensitising the rural masses about importance of safe drinking water and sanitation.
The Minister was speaking after inaugurating the National Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Awareness Week (NRDWSAW) organised by Communication and Capacity Development Unit (CCDU) and Water and Sanitation Support Organization (WSSO) of Department of Public Health Engineering and Irrigation and Flood Control Departments
The Minister informed that the aim and objective of the campaign is to create awareness among the general masses regarding importance of safe drinking water and to improve sanitation for environment protection.
Reiterating the Government’s resolve to provide adequate safe water for drinking and other domestic needs on a sustainable basis in the rural areas the Minister said that requisite steps will be taken to fulfil the basic requirements meeting the water quality standards.
On the occasion the Minister also flagged off the IEC (Information and Education Campaign) vehicles which would disseminate information among the general public pertaining to the issues of safe handling of water, water conservation and importance of sanitation .The Minister also launched logo of the PHE Department and Voice Mail SMS Service on the occasion.
Principal Secretary, PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Dr. Pawan Kotwal while speaking on the occasion highlighted the importance of NRDWSAW. He asked the programme implementation agencies to coordinate with DWSM, VWSCs and involve Panchayati Raj Institution (PRIs), ASHA Workers and Anganwadi Workers so that better results are achieved at ground level.
Executive Director, CCDU Dr. Narinder Bhatial apprised about the programme and said that the week is being celebrated to generate awareness in villages and series of awareness programmes will be organised at all the district headquarters.
Chief Engineer, PHE Sushil Aima, Chief Engineer I&FC H. C. Jerath, Chief Engineer RTIC K. K. Gupta, Secretary Institute of Engineering, Jammu Mohinder Manhas and senior officers of PHE, I&FC and CCDU were present on the occasion.
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