Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav issues strict instructions to all water supply management officials

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has directed all departments associated with drinking water supply to ensure prompt resolution of drinking water-related issues and conduct daily monitoring. In this regard, leave for all personnel associated with drinking water arrangements in urban bodies, Panchayats, PHE, Jal Nigam, and related departments has been restricted. Leave will be approved only under unavoidable circumstances.

Following the directions of Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, Chief Secretary Shri Anurag Jain held a meeting on Sunday through video conferencing with Collectors and officials from urban local bodies, Panchayats, PHE, and Municipal Corporations. He instructed Collectors to establish central control rooms and form committees of officials to review drinking water availability on a daily basis. He emphasized ensuring that drinking water is distributed through tankers in areas facing shortages and that no irregularities occur. He also directed strict action against misuse of water tankers. The Chief Secretary instructed officials to maintain communication and coordination with public representatives to ensure drinking water availability in areas facing shortages.

Chief Secretary Shri Jain instructed Collectors to work on a war footing to ensure drinking water availability. He directed that urban water tanks be filled equitably and that the Energy Department be included in the entire planning process along with other departments. He also instructed that electricity connections of any tap water scheme should not be disconnected. Chief Secretary Shri Jain informed that the State Government has released ₹1,500 crore for borewell drilling and related works in rural areas, along with an additional ₹55 crore to Panchayats for maintenance work, so that no inconvenience arises in drinking water availability. He said mechanisms should be prepared at every level and regular reviews should be conducted. Senior officials from the Urban Development, Panchayat and Rural Development, PHE, Energy, and General Administration Departments were also present in the meeting.

Chief Secretary Shri Jain said that Collectors themselves should lead the control rooms and ensure that complaints received from public representatives, Public Service Guarantee systems, and the CM Helpline are resolved within the shortest possible time. He emphasized maintaining better communication with public representatives and citizens and publicizing drinking water availability and grievance redressal measures. He directed that a one-month action plan be prepared and monitored strictly on a daily basis. Immediate restrictions should be imposed on leave for all personnel engaged in drinking water supply work, and leave should be granted only in unavoidable circumstances.

Chief Secretary Shri Jain further instructed Collectors to ensure proper use of treated water and pay special attention to tanker-based water supply. He directed them to ensure that tankers reach every habitation and supply water under all circumstances. Collectors were informed that a new SOP has been issued and the Schedule of Rates (SOR) has been revised, allowing Panchayats to independently undertake water conservation works up to ₹10 lakh. The Chief Secretary added that funds from the 15th and 16th Finance Commissions could also be utilized for drinking water supply. He stated that Panchayats may spend on drinking water arrangements using grants received from the Central Finance Commission, State Finance Commission, basic grants, other grants from the Central or State Government, as well as their own revenue sources. Commissioners were also instructed to maintain special vigilance in their respective divisions.

Additional Chief Secretary Shri Neeraj Mandloi instructed Collectors to maintain special vigilance over all drinking water sources and remain informed in advance if any source is facing water shortages. He also directed them to work proactively on arranging alternative water sources.

Give Public Utility Focus to Jal Samvardhan Campaign and Ganga Dussehra Events

During the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary Shri Shiv Shekhar Shukla informed Collectors that two-day Ganga Dussehra events will be organized across the state from May 25. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav himself will participate in several programs on May 25 and 26 at the banks of the Kshipra River in Ujjain. Shri Shukla said that the events should be made more people-oriented by linking them with drinking water awareness and ensuring participation of public representatives and citizens.