The Times of India 07.01.2010
Minister releases draft on drinking water policy
PATNA: State public health and engineering department (PHED) minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey released a nine-page draft of the proposed drinking water and hygiene policy on Wednesday to invite suggestions and comments from the public. It was earlier tabled during the winter session of the state legislature to invite suggestions and comments from MLAs and MLCs.
The policy focuses on the principle of “reduce, recycle and reuse”, financial sustainability, involvement of technical and academic institutions, maintenance of quality, water security and involvement of local bodies.
The minister has invited suggestions from media, NGOs, civil society organisations, experts and others on the draft, which would be publicised in newspapers and also posted on the website.
Choubey said Vivekananda Jayanti would be observed as Swakshata Sankalp Divas and on that day, PHED-sponsored marches would be taken out and seminars and symposiums on quality of water and hygiene will be held in the state.
The minister also said that the Bihar Gram Gaurav Yatra will be revived from January 31. Last year, it could not be completed because of the announcement of Lok Sabha polls and, this time, all the 17 districts, which were not covered last year, will be covered in the second phase of the Yatra.
It will conclude at the r Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Maidan in Bhagalpur on February 20. To mark the conclusion, Swachchata Mela (hygiene fair) would be held in Bhagalpur, focusing on safe drinking water, health and hygiene as well as ecology and environment. Industrial units through their stalls at the mela will sell treatment kits used for treatment of iron, nitrate, arsenic and fluoride contaminated water.
Painting exhibitions for schoolkids, debates for college and university students on safe drinking water, health and hygiene would also be held nd prizes will be given to the winners, said Choubey.
The policy focuses on the principle of “reduce, recycle and reuse”, financial sustainability, involvement of technical and academic institutions, maintenance of quality, water security and involvement of local bodies.
The minister has invited suggestions from media, NGOs, civil society organisations, experts and others on the draft, which would be publicised in newspapers and also posted on the website.
Choubey said Vivekananda Jayanti would be observed as Swakshata Sankalp Divas and on that day, PHED-sponsored marches would be taken out and seminars and symposiums on quality of water and hygiene will be held in the state.
The minister also said that the Bihar Gram Gaurav Yatra will be revived from January 31. Last year, it could not be completed because of the announcement of Lok Sabha polls and, this time, all the 17 districts, which were not covered last year, will be covered in the second phase of the Yatra.
It will conclude at the r Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Maidan in Bhagalpur on February 20. To mark the conclusion, Swachchata Mela (hygiene fair) would be held in Bhagalpur, focusing on safe drinking water, health and hygiene as well as ecology and environment. Industrial units through their stalls at the mela will sell treatment kits used for treatment of iron, nitrate, arsenic and fluoride contaminated water.
Painting exhibitions for schoolkids, debates for college and university students on safe drinking water, health and hygiene would also be held nd prizes will be given to the winners, said Choubey.
