Union Water Minister assures to bring safe drinking water to all

Kharagpur, Jan 31 (UNI) Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz today assured that the Centre was moving towards provide safe drinking water and proper sanitation facilities to all during the 11th Plan period.

Addressing the inaugural programme of the three-day annual tech-fest Kshitij at IIT, Kharagpur, Prof Soz said, ''The Union Government is hoping to achieve the millennium development goal of providing safe drinking water and hygienic sanitation facilities to all its citizens within the 11th Plan period.'' Prof Soz said, ''We can be proud of our achievements only when the poorest of the poor have benefitted from the development. The real test is in uplifting these sections of the society.'' Drawing emphasis on inclusive growth, the Union Minister said, ''Measures in the process of strengthening Panchayati Raj and introduction of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act(NREGA) would definitely help in achieving the desired goals and over all development of our country.'' Dr Damodar Acharya, Director, IIT-KGP, also addressed the inaugural session of this three-day event inclusive of programmes on technical workshops, sports meets and cultural competitions.

Over 1200 students from various institutes in India and abroad will be participating in 'Kshitij-2008'.

UNI XC LL KK VC1745