DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

Taking a very serious view of outbreak of Diarrhoea in couple of towns in the State, Chief Secretary Mr Anurag Verma on Tuesday took an emergency meeting with all the Deputy Commissioners in the State. The meeting was also attended by Senior officers of the concerned departments, Commissioner Municipal Corporations, ADCs (Urban Development), XENs, EOs and Civil Surgeons.

In the meeting Mr. Verma said that Chief Minister S Bhagwant Singh Mann has issued very clear directions that all the Municipal Corporations and Municipal Committees must ensure that 100% contamination free drinking water is available in their respective jurisdictions. He directed the Deputy Commissioners, Commissioner Municipal Corporations (CMC), and Executive Officers(EO) to personally visit the vulnerable areas and slums in their jurisdiction. Wherever there is a possibility of drinking water being contaminated, immediate remedial steps must be taken. Mr. Verma directed Secretary, Local Government to take certificates from all the CMCs and EOs that contamination free water is being supplied in all the areas in

their jurisdiction.

Verma directed Principal Secretary, Water Supply and Sanitation to conduct similar exercise in the Rural areas. All the XENs and the SDOs were directed to personally visit all the villages and in particular vulnerable areas. Principal Secretary Water Supply and Sanitation was directed to take certificates from all the XENs and SDOs that contamination free water is being supplied in all the areas in their jurisdiction.

As per the directions of Chief Minister S Bhagwant Singh Mann, Mr. Verma directed Secretary, Health to double the number of water samples being taken. While doing so, special focus should be on slums and vulnerable areas. Wherever, any sample fails, the matter should be immediately reported to the Deputy Commissioner concerned who in turn should take deterrent action against the Officer responsible for supply of water in the area. In such areas potable drinking water should immediately be made available through tankers. In addition, chlorine tablets in sufficient numbers should be supplied.

Verma also directed Secretary Health to ensure free and proper treatment of persons who have fallen ill so far. He directed the DCs to closely monitor the situation on daily basis and ensure strict implementation of above directions. He made it clear that no laxity will be tolerated from anyone on this front.

The meeting was attended by Financial Commissioner Rural Development and Panchayats Alok Shekhar, Principal Secretary Water Supply and Sanitation Nilkanth S Avhad, Secretary Health Dr Abhinav, Secretary Local Government Ravi Bhagat and Director Local Government Uma Shankar Gupta.
(editor@dailyworld.in)