Repair all defunct hand pumps by June 15: Govt

Patna: Chief secretary Pratyaya Amrit on Monday directed the public health and engineering eepartment (PHED) to ensure that all defunct hand pumps across Bihar are repaired and made functional by June 15, warning that negligence at any level would invite action.

The directive was issued during a high-level review meeting attended by district magistrates of all districts through video conferencing. Senior officials of the food and consumer protection department, PHED and eevenue and land reforms department were also present on this occasion.

Reviewing the summer drinking water situation, Amrit asked PHED to carry out the hand pump repair drive in mission mode and immediately augment manpower. He said districts of south Bihar should be given priority due to the higher likelihood of groundwater depletion during summer.

“All defunct hand pumps must be repaired and made functional by June 15. Any negligence at any level will invite action,” the chief secretary said, directing that daily progress reports be submitted to PHED principal secretary Rajesh Kumar.

Amrit also expressed dissatisfaction over the pace of the farmer registry exercise. Against the target of 86.36 lakh registrations, only 51.58 lakh farmers have been registered so far, accounting for 60.2% of the target. He directed the revenue and land reforms department and district magistrates to monitor pending applications daily at the ‘halka’ employee and block officers’ levels and ensure their prompt disposal. The review also covered implementation of the PM-Kisan scheme.

On border administration, the chief secretary instructed district magistrates near India-Nepal border districts to remain vigilant and strengthen coordination with security agencies to prevent any untoward activity.

He also reviewed the ongoing Gyan Bharatam survey and reminded officials that the June 15 deadline was approaching fast. Districts were asked to intensify efforts on a war footing and prepare special action plans to achieve 100% targets.

In a separate meeting of the crisis management committee, Amrit directed officials to strengthen the fuel and gas supply system in the state. He ordered uninterrupted diesel supply for telecom towers and ongoing infrastructure projects. Permission was also granted for the distribution of 5-kg FTL (Free Trade LPG) cylinders to construction workers and contract workers.