Minister Yogendra Prasad Holds Major Review Meeting in Dumka: Strong Displeasure Over Slow Water Supply Projects; Warning to Blacklist Negligent Agencies
Dumka: Yogendra Prasad, Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation, conducted a high-level review on Monday at the Dumka Collectorate auditorium regarding ongoing drinking water and sanitation schemes across four districts of the Santhal Pargana division—Dumka, Deoghar, Pakur, and Jamtara. During the meeting, the Minister issued clear directives to complete all pending and slow-moving projects within the stipulated timeframe, warning that strict action would be taken against responsible agencies otherwise.
The meeting commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. Deputy Commissioner Abhijit Sinha welcomed the Minister by presenting a bouquet. During the review, the Minister instructed officials not to compromise on the quality of the projects and to ensure regular monitoring.
Strict Stance on Slow-Moving Projects
The Minister stated that water supply projects that remain incomplete, or those that have not been made operational despite construction, must be started as soon as possible on a priority basis. All Executive Engineers were directed to regularly monitor the projects in their respective areas.
Strict Action Against Negligent Agencies
The Minister warned that contractors failing to complete work on time despite receiving work orders would face action in accordance with the rules. If necessary, the process of blacklisting the concerned agencies would also be initiated.
Emphasis on Creating Plastic-Free Villages
During the review of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), the Minister directed that top priority be given to plastic waste management. He emphasized the need to quickly operationalize all plastic waste management plants and launch a comprehensive campaign to make villages plastic-free.
Target to Increase ODF Plus (5-Star) Villages
It was reported during the meeting that the progress in solid waste management stands at 38.9 percent, while the progress in liquid waste management is 91.78 percent. In this regard, the Minister directed that the construction of all solid waste management infrastructure be expedited to bring the maximum number of villages into the ODF Plus (5-star) category and that the verification of the proposed villages be completed in a time-bound manner.
MLAs Uday Shankar Singh and Devendra Kunwar, Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) Jharkhand Mission Director Ranjita Hembram, Deputy Commissioner Abhijit Sinha, Deputy Development Commissioner Aniket Sachan, Executive Engineers from the four districts, and departmental officials were present at the meeting.
