Port Blair, March 18: National Rural Drinking Water Programme, a Flagship Programme of Government of India was launched in the North and Middle Andaman District by the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration Shri. Anand Prakash by distributing field water testing kits to the Pradhans of Mayabunder Samiti Area.

Speaking on the occasion, Smti. Punya Salila Srivastava, Commissioner-cum-Secretary (PWD) requested the general public to utilize the Kits for their own benefit. She also emphasized upon keeping records of all the tests to be conducted by the Village Water and Sanitation Committee and assured full support of the Administration to ensure potable drinking water to all individuals.

Shri P.K. Singh, Chief Engineer-cum-Secretary (PWD) in his address briefed about the programme of the Government of India. He informed the gathering that the main aim of the programme is to provide every rural person with adequate water for drinking, cooking and other domestic basic needs on sustainable bases. The basic requirement should meet certain minimum water quality standard and readily and conveniently accessible in all times and in all situations. He further informed that the village has to prepare its water security plan for which a Village Water and Sanitation Committee has been constituted. The Committee constitutes of JE of APWD, PRI, ANM, Anganwadi workers and Panchayat Secretary headed by the Pradhan.

Shri Jose P. John, Director, ANSWSM welcomed the gathering while Ms. Shaksi Mittal, Assistant Commissioner, Mayabunder proposed the vote of thanks.

Similar programme was also held in Diglipur for the PRI members of Diglipur wherein Shri P.K. Singh, Chief Engineer-cum-Secretary (PWD) distributed the Field Water Testing Kits to all Pradhans of Diglipur Panchayat Samiti Area. Shri Jose P. John, Director, ANSWSM briefed about the programme and Shri K.M. Mathai, Executive Engineer, APWD proposed the vote of thanks.        

The ‘Andaman Nicobar State Water and Sanitation Mission’ had also organized a workshop on ‘Community Involvement in NRDWP’ for the PRI’s, Engineers of APWD & PRI’s, Panchayat Secretaries and Health Workers.