TS to be model state in supplying drinking water, says KCR

The government will ensure that there is no dearth of funds for implementing welfare schemes and development programmes

• Government to design an action plan to ensure 24 hours supply of drinking water to every house
• Plans to develop infrastructure in urban areas to meet rising demand

Nalgonda: The Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday said that his government is making all efforts to ensure 24 hours drinking water supply to every house in the State. Speaking on drinking water supply at Interactive Orientation Sessions, which is being conducted at Vijaya Vihar guest house in Nagarjuna Sagar for TRS elected representatives, Chandrasekhar Rao said that the government is planning to supply drinking water to SCs and STs- free of cost. A cabinet sub-committee would be formed to prepare an action plan on drinking water management.

The aim of his government is to make Telangana state a `model’ state in the world in supplying uninterrupted drinking water. The government would ensure that there is no dearth of funds for implementing welfare schemes and development programmes, he added. KCR said that the Gram Panchayats and Municipalities must ensure drinking water supply to every school in their area. Under Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR), the water taps should be setup at all the schools for cleaning of hands by the students with the help of private firms, he added.

Sharing his views on urban development, the Chief Minister felt that there is an urgent need to develop infrastructure in the urban areas, which were witnessing rapid expansion due to the employment, education and health care facilities. Similarly, equal importance should be given to provide basic amenities to the people in rural areas, he added. Giving a lecture on urban development, the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) Director Srinivasa Chary said that the urbanization would have big impact on government policies, politics and economy.

Hence, the elected representatives should be well-versed with urbanization plans and the government should work with a comprehensive plan on developing infrastructures like roads, drainage and drinking water supply in urban areas. Terming the urban areas as revenue-generating zones, he said that the cities and towns, which have only 35 percent population of total population in the country, but have been contributing 65 percent revenue to the governments.

He also underlined the need for further simplification of process of permission for construction of residential houses and buildings in urban areas. Mr Chary also opined that the uninterrupted water supply would also avoid the contamination and waste of the drinking water. He also underlined the need for underground drainage facility in urban areas. He felt that proper maintenance of community toilets in slums would also avoid sanitation problems.