Kick starts field test kits training to Panchayats for drinking water quality testing
KARGIL OCTOBER 24, 2020: Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor Ladakh Radha Krishna Mathur launched the 100 Days Campaign to provide assured portable water supply to schools and Anganwadi centres in Ladakh and opening of drinking water quality testing labs for water samples testing for general public under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) Har Ghar Jal during a function held at District Informatics Center (DIC), Kargil here on Friday.
On the occasion, the LG also launched the field test kits (FTKs) training to Panchayats for drinking water quality testing.
Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan, Commissioner Secretary PHE, I&FC and Urban Development UT Ladakh Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Deputy Commissioner and CEO, LAHDC, Kargil Baseer ul Haq Choudhary, Chief Engineer PHE and I&FC Ladakh besides other concerned officers were present on the occasion.
BDC Chairpersons and Sarpanchs of Drass, Sodh and other areas besides engineers of JJM from Leh attended the launch ceremony through video conferencing.
Ladakh has 907 schools and 1140 Anganwadi Centres out of which 258 Schools and 401 Anganwadi Centres do not have reliable and functional water supply. During the next 100 days all such schools and Anganwadi Centres will be provided functional tap connection by the UT Administration.
LG Mathur while appreciating the efforts of the PHE Department Ladakh for its efforts towards the successful implementation of the JJM in Ladakh UT so far underlined the need to ensure due participation of the public representatives, PRI members and the general public during the implementation of the scheme at all levels. He also stressed on a proper blend of technology and traditional methods of water management to ensure assured water supply to the local populations.
Earlier, Commissioner Secretary PHE, I&FC and Urban Development UT Ladakh Ajeet Kumar Sahu through a detailed power point presentation apprised the LG about the objectives of JJM, strategy, safe and secure drinking water supply management, preparatory steps, planning and implementation and other related aspects to connect each and every household of UT Ladakh with piped water supply by the year 2022-23.
The Commissioner Secretary also informed the LG about the present status of functional household tap connections (FHTCs) and the year wise action plan/ target to be completed in 4 phases by 2022-23. He also enumerated the status of drinking water quality monitoring, testing of drinking water sources and delivery points in Leh and Kargil districts besides the status of NABL accreditation of the drinking water testing laboratories.
Later, the Commissioner Secretary Urban Development and the members of the Smart Cities Mission from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) through a power point presentation informed the LG Ladakh about various consultative meetings with the stakeholders in Leh and Kargil districts for starting up of projects under the Smart Cities Mission in the 2 cities with requisite core infrastructure, clean and sustainable environment, application of smart solutions and overall improvement of the quality of life of the citizens.
For the purpose of implementation of the Smart Cities Mission in the twin districts, the action plan is being prepared and core committees have also been constituted for concept and policy decisions while a website is being launched by 31st October, 2020 for public consultations, the officers further informed.
As a part of his 2 day tour to the district, LG Ladakh also convened a meeting with the Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Kargil and the Executive Councillors wherein a number of issues pertaining to the development of the district besides issues related to winter preparations were discussed in detail.
Scores of public delegations including the religious, political and social organizations, public representatives, PRI members and individuals also called on the LG and projected their issues and demands.
The LG assured the Executive Council of the LAHDC, Kargil and the public delegations that all their issues and concerns would be considered on priority and appropriate steps would be taken to find out reasonable solutions in each case.
The members of the LAHDC Kargil and the delegations expressed their gratitude to the Government of India and the UT Administration Ladakh for kick start of work on the construction of Zojila Tunnel, the inclusion of Kargil under the 100 Smart Cities Mission, enhancement of Capex Budget to 232 crores, sanctioning of engineering college in Kargil, introduction of MODI and Ladakh Green House Initiative Scheme, sanctioning of funds for Kargil Airport besides other major initiatives taken by the Government for development of the district.
The LG also inaugurated the newly renovated DC Office Building Kargil.
