Bhopal, Mar 20 : Chief Secretary Rakesh Sahni has asked the divisional Commissioners and district Collectors to accord top priority to supply of drinking water in the areas facing drinking water scarcity. Sahni told them that funds amounting to Rs 200 crore were being provided for this purpose to civic bodies of the state. The Chief Secretary was deliberating on various issues with divisional Commissioners and district Collectors through the video conferencing here today. The other issues which figured prominently during the video conferencing included Forest Rights Act, Anganwadis and wheat Procurement.

The Chief Secretary instructed the chief engineer of Public Health Engineering Department to give sanction of digging tube wells within 24 hours in the areas hit badly by drinking water crisis. He also instructed to get defunct hand pumps repaired within 24 hours. Energy Department has been paid Rs 15 crore for reviving tap water schemes in those rural areas where its operation has been stopped due to non-payment of electricity bills. The Chief Secretary instructed the officers to start reviewing arrangements for seeds for the Kharif season so that seeds can be stored well in advance.

During the video conferencing, the Chief Secretary asked the officers to give priority to implementation of Forest Rights Act. Laxity in this work would not be tolerated. Process for constituting committees should be started immediately where they have not been formed so far.

Similarly, he instructed the district collectors to ensure regular monitoring of activities of Anganwadis. Special attention should be paid by the Anganwadi workers in the summer season when children are often gripped by dehydration.

The Chief Secretary instructed the officers to hire private godowns, if required, for procurement of wheat. It may be mentioned that procurement of wheat in the state has already begun from March 1. A target to procure 10 lakh tonnes of wheat has been set this year in the state. The Chief Secretary also instructed the commissioners and collectors to keep close watch over law and order situation in view of ensuing festivals.

During the video conferencing, Secretary, Public Health Engineering Department PC Meena told the officers, immediate information should be given wherever a hand pump goes out of order. Private vehicles have been engaged on hire basis in every development block for repair of hand pumps. He informed that control rooms have been established at state as well as district levels.