Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has directed that General Pervez Musharraf's potable water supply programme should be immediately started and an action plan be evolved within 10 days for this purpose.
He was presiding over a high-level meeting here on Saturday, regarding provision of pure water to the citizens. Punjab Chief Secretary Salman Siddique, Chairman Planning and Development Suleman Ghani, Additional Chief Secretary Najeebullah Malik, Secretary Housing, Akhlaq Ahmed Tarar and concerned officers were present.
The Chief Minister said that 1000 water supply schemes were being executed in the province during current year at a cost of Rs 5 billion whereas an amount of Rs 15 billion would be spent in this regard during next three years. "The government was attaching top priority to the supply of clean water to the people, as it is essential for human health.
Potable water was not only necessary for controlling diseases but also helps in raising standard of living of the common man and water testing laboratories would also be set up in this regard. A special project management unit would be set up for effective implementation of the programme of provision of clean water to the masses.
He said that a survey was being conducted for provision of drinking water in all areas of the province and special attention was being paid to water supply and drainage schemes. He also directed early completion of ongoing water supply schemes.
The Chief Secretary highlighted various aspects of the implementation of potable water programme. The P&D Chairman said that in the light of instructions of Chief Minister, a strategy would be devised for completion of water supply schemes within stipulated period.