Collectors asked to ensure safe drinking water

Times of India, Feb 3, 2011
BHUBANESWAR: Chief secretary Bjiay Kumar Patnaik on Wednesday asked the district collectors of seven tribal-dominated districts to ensure safe drinking water to all before summer.


Reviewing long-term strategies to counter water-borne diseases in tribal districts, Patnaik said there should be tubewells or other sources of drinking water for habitations as small as of 10 families, a press release said.

The government will chlorinate the water sources periodically. A four-member squad in each block will inspect safety of water sources.

The state government had decided to prepare long-term strategies to tackle water-borne diseases in Rayagada, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Gajapati and Koraput districts after spurt in cholera in these districts in 2010. The district authorities were supposed to identify inaccessible areas and take steps to tackle water-borne diseases in these areas.