Punjab to ink MoU with Naandi foundation on potable water

Chandigarh, July 23 (UNI) Punjab Government today decided, in principle, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Naandi Foundation, Hyderabad, to extend the drinking water project to the entire State following successful implementation of pilot project in 50 villages of Gidderbaha constituency in Muktsar District.

A decision to this effect was taken at a high-level meeting between the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and the Chairman Naandi Foundation Kallam Anji Reddy here.

Taking part in the deliberation, Mr Badal evinced keen interest to implement the programme initiated by the Naandi foundation so that the people of Punjab could get clean and safe drinking water especially in the Malwa belt.

Mr Badal also directed the sanitation and water supply department to prepare an action plan to prioritize villages to be selected for this scheme in view of high level of fluoride content in the underground water in this Malwa region.

He also sought the expertise of Naandi foundation for cleaning of village ponds which had now virtually turned into a dumping space of sullage and sewage gathered from the entire village. He emphasized the need to recycle the pond water for irrigation purposes and these ponds could again the filled with clean water which could further be used for fishing and domestic use.

Chief executive officer (North India) of Naandi foundation Mrs Isher Judge Ahluwalia urged the Chief Minister to replicate the Giddarbaha project of Reverse Osmosis vigorously to provide clean drinking water in the other parts of the state also.

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