Santosh Patnaik
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan has called for concerted efforts to achieve the target to provide access to safe drinking water to all by 2024.
Addressing the 7th WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) Conclave organised by UNICEF and National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) through virtual mode from Raj Bhavan on Wednesday, he said it should be ensured to achieve the target as per the deadline.
He participated as chief guest at the inaugural session of the 3-day conclave being held with the theme of “Hygiene Matters” in which key stakeholders from AP, Karnataka and Telangana participated on a single platform to discuss vital issues with particular focus on hygiene.
The Governor said India had achieved significant strides in water, sanitation and hygiene sector in terms of achieving open defecation-free status, basic drinking water services through piped water supply (PWS) and was progressing towards achieving the sustainable development goal No.6 to provide ‘clean water and sanitation’.
The Governor said the supply of adequate, accessible, equitable and quality water supply and better sanitation facilities in household, community and institutions-level with community managed water supply and sanitation system is the soul of Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission programmes.
The Governor said that the State-level programme initiatives such as ‘Manam Mana Parisubrtha’ in AP, ‘Swacchotsava Nityotsava’ in Karnataka and ‘Palle Pragathi’ in Telangana have been contributing in a long way towards achieving WASH resilience and healthy society.
The Governor complimented all the stakeholders of the three States, involved in sustaining the open defecation-free status and achieving the milestones of water and sanitation for all and appreciated their efforts to become 100% WASH compliant.
Nicolas Osbert, Chief of WASH, UNICEF, India, Alka Upadhyaya, Director General, NIRDPR, Meital Rusdia, Chief of UNICEF, Hyderabad Field Office, Mukesh Kumar Meena, Secretary to Governor and senior officials attended.
