Punjabs 99.94 percent of households that is 34.24 lakhs out of the total of 34.26 lakh are getting potable piped water supply. Noting this, the state Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Janjua on Wednesday directed the Water Supply and Sanitation Department to cover the remaining 2,230 households in quality-affected villages on priority within the current financial year to ensure potable piped water supply in all rural households across the State.

Janjua, chairing the third meeting of Apex Committee of State Water and Sanitation Mission (SWSM), reviewed the progress of ongoing Water supply and sanitation projects, and directed the concerned officials to ensure 100 percent coverage of rural households with Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) at the earliest.

He also directed the Rural Development and Water Supply and Sanitation Departments officials to submit a road map within a week for the achievement of targets under Swachh Bharat-Gramin.

During the meeting, it was apprised that the State has already covered 99.94 percent of households with piped water supply. All the remaining 2230 households in quality affected villages will be provided with potable water supply in 2022-23. The Department has already ensured 100 percent saturation of households in terms of piped water supply through FHTCs in 11,931 villages, 146 blocks, and 20 districts of the State besides ensuring Har Ghar Jal certification through special in 11,867 saturated villages, 133 blocks, and in 16 districts, he added.