PR&RD Minister directs officials to prepare for summer drinking water needs

Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister D. Anasuya Seethakka has directed officials to take proactive measures to ensure a sufficient drinking water supply during the upcoming summer season. This directive comes in light of the anticipated effects of the El Nino weather phenomenon. During a regional meeting at the Rangareddy District Collectorate, she highlighted that 19 reservoirs currently provide drinking water to the former Nalgonda, Mahabubnagar, Rangareddy, and Medak districts.

She noted that while most reservoirs had sufficient water storage, Singur had less than the necessary amount. Consequently, she emphasized the need to appoint a special officer to oversee drinking water supply in the region and expedite efforts to divert water from Nizamsagar to Singur. Currently, Singur has water reserves sufficient for approximately 54 days, but Seethakka's directives aim to extend this availability to around 75 days through the utilization of local water sources.

Moreover, the minister instructed officials to establish three-member Drinking Water Management Committees in each mandal. These committees would be responsible for evaluating water availability, identifying alternative sources, and paying particular attention to tribal areas and Chenchu hamlets. With agricultural activities expected to decrease due to dry conditions, eligible families would be provided employment under the rural employment guarantee scheme.

An allocation of ₹6,000 crore was available for this program, and officials were tasked with utilizing these funds for infrastructure and water conservation projects. In total, 5,118 gram panchayats in the state did not possess their own buildings, and the government had sanctioned ₹1,000 crore for their construction. As of now, works on 3,269 buildings had reached 70% completion, with the remaining buildings targeted for completion this year.

Additionally, the government was constructing buildings for women's groups in 8,000 villages at a cost of ₹800 crore, with the project nearing completion.