Minister Hardip Singh : Punjab Water Supply and Sanitation Minister urges Union Minister during a conference in Udaipur.
Punjab Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Hardip Singh Mundian has urged the immediate release of ₹111.13 crore in pending funds for Punjab under the Jal Jeevan Mission to ensure timely completion of key projects aimed at providing canal water to villages affected by poor water quality. Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil assured early disbursement of the funds.
Speaking at a two-day conference, India 2047: A Water Secure Nation, in Udaipur, Rajasthan, Mundian highlighted the Punjab government’s ongoing efforts under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s leadership to provide clean drinking water to residents. He pointed out that groundwater contamination with uranium, arsenic, and selenium has been a significant challenge in the state. To address this, 15 surface water projects worth ₹2,200 crore are in progress, aiming to supply clean water to 25 lakh rural residents in phases. He urged the central government to release the necessary funds promptly for their completion.
Minister Hardip Singh also noted that Punjab achieved 100% tap water coverage in rural areas under the Har Ghar Jal mission by April 2023, becoming the fifth state in India to do so, ahead of the national target achieved in March 2024. The state’s next goal is to ensure 24-hour drinking water availability for rural communities.
Discussing Punjab’s advancements,Minister Hardip Singh shared that the state established a grievance redressal center in 2009, which has received 1,38,331 complaints as of January 31, 2025, with a 99.70% resolution rate. He also highlighted the adoption of IoT-based monitoring systems and SCADA technology for enhanced oversight of water supply schemes.
Emphasizing community participation, especially that of women, in maintaining water infrastructure, Minister Hardip Singh stated that Punjab has mandated at least 50% female representation in Gram Panchayat Water and Sanitation Committees (GRWSC).
Minister Hardip Singh called for collective efforts from all citizens to achieve the vision of a water-secure nation, ensuring clean and potable water for future generations.
The conference was attended by Union Ministers, state Water Supply and Sanitation Ministers, officials, and Punjab’s Principal Secretary for Water Supply and Sanitation, Neelkanth S. Avhad.