Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti organized a one-day National Conference on Provision of Potable Drinking Water in Quality-affected Areas. The conference provided a platform for states to share best practices on drinking water quality management. Deliberations included health impacts of poor water quality, various technologies for removal of chemical contaminants, the role of public health and water quality laboratory accreditation. The conference was attended by officials from Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal and partners working on water and sanitation.
In the inaugural address, Mr Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Jal Shakti, GoI acknowledged the work done by state and central government to provide safe drinking water for all. He reiterated the commitment of Ministry of Jal Shakti to achieve the Jal Jeevan Mission announced by Prime Minister of India by 2024. Mr Rattan Lal Kataria, Minister of State for Jal Shakti, encouraged representatives from states to learn, innovate and inspire each other.
Ms Payden, Deputy WHO Representative to India congratulated Government of India (GoI) for the strides made under the Swachh Bharath Mission and the initiative of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to provide safe, reliable and adequate drinking water to all rural population by 2024. She gave an overview of WHO’s water safety planning approach and highlighted its relevance and importance in achieving the objectives of Jal Jeevan Mission. She reiterated WHO’s support to GOI for achieving goals of the JJM.
The conference was organized under the leadership of Mr Parameswaran Iyer, Secretary (DWS) and Mr Bharat Lal, Additional Secretary and Mission Director (JJM)(Water)