Chandigarh, May 27 – Haryana Public Health Engineering and Public Works Minister Sh. Ranbir Gangwa has put the PHE Department on full alert mode to ensure smooth drinking water supply during the summer season. He directed all officers and employees of the department to ensure that the public does not face any kind of drinking water problem during this challenging summer period. Officers have been instructed to remain in the field, resolve complaints promptly and ensure that the water supply system functions at full capacity.
The Minister said that the coming month of summer is also one of the most important and challenging periods for the department. During such times, the responsibility of departmental officers increases further. He directed all officers and employees to remain available at their headquarters and not leave without permission. Keeping in view the summer season, instructions have also been issued to cancel the leaves of employees so that drinking water supply is not affected under any circumstances.
Sh. Ranbir Gangwa on Wednesday held a detailed review meeting with departmental officers regarding drinking water arrangements, water conservation, drainage and flood season preparedness. During the meeting, the drinking water arrangements of all circles in the state were reviewed separately and special discussion was held on areas from where complaints of drinking water crisis are being continuously received. Chief Engineer Sh. Devender Dahima along with engineers from various circles were present during the meeting, while Superintending Engineers (SEs) and Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs) of all circles joined virtually.
During the meeting, Minister Sh. Ranbir Gangwa said that the top priority of the state government is to provide clean, safe and adequate drinking water to every citizen. He said that inspired by Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, the government is working under the vision of “Har Ghar Mein Nal Aur Usmein Swachh Jal”. The objective is not merely to supply water, but to ensure quality and regular drinking water to every family. He directed departmental officers to accomplish this objective in mission mode.
No negligence in drinking water arrangements will be tolerated
During the meeting, Minister Sh. Ranbir Gangwa adopted a strict stance against officers found negligent in drinking water arrangements and directed the immediate suspension of 2 SDOs and 2 JEs. These officials belong to the Charkhi Dadri and Hansi areas. In addition, directions were issued to charge-sheet 2 officials from Adampur. The Minister said that if the public has to suffer for a basic facility like drinking water, it is a very serious matter and such negligence will not be tolerated at any level. He said that wherever issues such as drinking water crisis, poor condition of waterworks, pipeline leakages or disruption in water supply arise, accountability of the concerned officers will be fixed.
Action in Chanot village case
Taking cognisance of the ongoing protest regarding drinking water problems in Chanot village of Hansi and based on reports received from officials, the Minister directed suspension of the concerned SDO and JE. Investigation revealed that the responsible officers did not show the required promptness in resolving the issue, due to which residents had to face difficulties for a long period.
Explanation sought in Adampur waterworks case
During the meeting, cognisance was also taken of the poor condition of the Adampur waterworks in Hisar district and the issues in drinking water supply there. Expressing displeasure, the Minister directed that the concerned SDO and JE be charge-sheeted and explanations sought from them. He said that regular cleaning of waterworks, maintenance of machinery, operational condition of motors and ensuring drinking water quality are the primary responsibilities of departmental officers.
He said that waterworks are not merely centres for water storage but an important system connected with the daily needs of lakhs of people. Therefore, there should not be any kind of dirt, disorder or technical fault there.
Work in the field and take immediate action
Public Health Engineering Minister Sh. Ranbir Gangwa directed officers at the XEN, SDO and JE levels to regularly visit their respective areas and personally monitor the drinking water supply system. He said that officers should not work merely by sitting in offices but should visit villages and cities to assess the actual situation. He clearly instructed that if any fault occurs in tube wells, motors, pipelines, boosting stations or waterworks, immediate action should be taken. If delay in repair work leads to a drinking water crisis in any area, strict action will be taken against the concerned officer.
Instructions for better coordination with Irrigation Department
Sh. Ranbir Gangwa said that better coordination with the Irrigation Department is essential to maintain smooth water availability and distribution during the summer season. He directed officers to hold weekly meetings with Irrigation Department officials and discuss water availability in canals, water distribution and future requirements. He said that special strategies should be prepared for areas where groundwater levels are low so that drinking water supply can be ensured and people do not have to depend on tankers or other alternative means.
Special campaign to prevent water wastage
Sh. Ranbir Gangwa also laid special emphasis on water conservation. He said that a special campaign should be launched across the state to prevent wastage of water. Departmental employees should conduct door-to-door surveys and issue notices wherever unnecessary wastage of water is observed. He said that in many places, water is seen flowing wastefully from households during drinking water supply hours. Taking cognisance of such negligence, he directed that water wastage should not be allowed under any circumstances. Along with awareness campaigns, action under the rules should also be ensured.
The Minister said that water conservation is the greatest need of the hour. If serious efforts are not made to save water at present, the water crisis may become more severe in the future. Therefore, every citizen must fulfil the responsibility of saving water.
Instructions to pay special attention to water quality
During the meeting, the Minister directed officers to ensure regular testing of drinking water quality. He said that during summer, the risk of water-borne diseases increases due to contaminated water, therefore no laxity should be shown in filtration and water testing processes. He directed that water samples should be collected regularly from villages and cities and if poor water quality is found anywhere, alternative arrangements should be made immediately.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were also held regarding the overflow problem in Adarsh Nagar area of Bahadurgarh, drinking water crisis in Vidyanagar, Hanuman Dhani and Tibba Basti areas of Charkhi Dadri, and water shortage in Mujedpur area of Gurugram. The Minister directed the concerned officers to ensure solutions in these areas on priority basis and maintain regular monitoring.
Officials must answer calls of public representatives
During the meeting, the Minister said that some public representatives had complained that certain departmental officers do not answer their calls and do not show seriousness towards public issues. Expressing strong displeasure, the Minister said that officers must answer calls of public representatives in all circumstances and resolve public problems on priority basis. He said that the government is accountable to the people and the behaviour of officers should also be sensitive and responsible.
Government’s priority: Clean drinking water to every household
During the meeting, Minister Sh. Ranbir Gangwa said that the Haryana Government is committed to providing clean and adequate drinking water to every citizen of the state. He directed departmental officers to work with full responsibility, transparency and sensitivity and ensure that no village or city in the state faces a drinking water crisis during this summer season. He said that the government is fully serious about public convenience and better basic services, and every necessary step will be taken to strengthen the drinking water supply system.
