Minister admits water in Bareta Mandi unfit for consumption

Chandigarh, Mar 18 (UNI) Local Bodies Minister Manoranjan Kalia today admitted that underground water in the area of Bareta Mandi in Mansa district was becoming unfit for human consumption due to various reasons.

He also admitted that use of contaiminated water was one of the reason for spreading jaundice in the area.

Mr Kalia was speaking on a call attention motion moved in the state Assembly by Mangat Rai Bansal (Cong) who drew the attention of the government towards this isuue.

Mr Bansal maintained that seven out of nine samples of drinking water had failed. About 1000 patients had already been admitted in hospital and one out of them had recently died, he told the House while calling to take immediate preventive measures.

Assuring the House of taking preventive steps, Mr Kalia said instructions had been issued to take immediate corrective measures if any instance of leakage of water supply pipes was reported. All the leakages, which have come to the notice, have been repaired, he added.

The public had been made aware through publicity to use boiled water and the residents were being supplied chlorinated water through tankers, he added.

Regarding another call attention motion raised by Anil Joshi (BJ), Mr Kalia said the work of covering of open 'Ganda Nallah' into underground storm water sewer was being carried out by Improvement Trust, Amritsar under the funds released through Punjab Nirman Programme.

With this work, this Nallah would be covered upto Guru Ram Dass Medical College and Hospital. For covering the remaining parts of Ganda Nallah, the Detailed Project Report would be prepared and the fund provided under JNNURM Scheme, he told the House.

UNI HS JT KN1924