Collectors asked to complete physical verification by August 31, finish pending projects by December 31, and ensure safe drinking water reaches every household
TFP Bureau, Raipur, July 23,2026: Chief Secretary Vikas Sheel on Thursday directed district administrations to accelerate the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission and ensure that every household in Chhattisgarh receives safe and quality drinking water through functional tap connections.
Chairing a statewide review meeting with district collectors through video conferencing from Mantralaya, Mahanadi Bhawan, the Chief Secretary assessed the progress of the Centre-sponsored “Har Ghar Nal” initiative and stressed the need to implement the scheme in mission mode.
He said the Jal Jeevan Mission, launched by the Government of India in 2019, aims to provide clean drinking water through household tap connections across rural India. He emphasized that the Chhattisgarh government’s priority is to ensure every family has access to safe drinking water, while also reducing the burden on women, curbing water-borne diseases and promoting better solid and liquid waste management.
During the meeting, Vikas Sheel instructed all district collectors to prepare district-specific action plans and strengthen implementation through the active participation of Gram Panchayats. He directed collectors to conduct monthly reviews of the mission and closely monitor progress at the district level.
Reviewing completed projects, the Chief Secretary ordered that physical verification of all completed and handed-over schemes be carried out by August 31 to facilitate timely payments to contractors. He also directed officials to ensure that all incomplete projects are completed by December 31 without exception.
Emphasising accountability, he instructed officials to undertake 100 per cent physical verification of all schemes and initiate action against contractors found negligent in executing the projects.
The Chief Secretary further directed district administrations to ensure timely clearance of running bills so that construction work is not hampered. He asked officials to mobilise financial resources from multiple sources, including the District Mineral Foundation (DMF), Members of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) funds, MLA Local Area Development funds, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and other available resources wherever required.
Highlighting the importance of long-term water security, Vikas Sheel instructed every district to assess existing water sources, identify alternative sources where necessary and prepare comprehensive action plans for water conservation and groundwater recharge. He said no rural habitation should be deprived of safe drinking water due to the inadequacy of existing water sources.
The review meeting also examined the progress of solar-powered rural water supply schemes. The Chief Secretary directed officials to conduct a scheme-wise analysis to reconcile sanctioned funds with actual expenditure and improve financial management.
Calling for sustained monitoring, Vikas Sheel instructed districts to set fresh targets for achieving 100 per cent tap water coverage by treating each village as the basic implementation unit. He also directed that monthly meetings of the District Water and Sanitation Committees be held regularly and their proceedings uploaded promptly on the departmental portal.
He urged collectors to work with clear planning, effective coordination and regular monitoring to ensure that every rural household in the state receives tap water within the stipulated timeline.
The meeting was attended by Public Health Engineering Department Secretary Mohammad Kaiser Abdul Haque, district collectors and senior departmental officials through video conferencing.
