Ranchi: Drinking water and sanitation department secretary Abu Imran has directed engineers and executing agencies to closely monitor all ongoing projects, warning of strict action against those found responsible for delays, negligence or poor quality work.Chairing a divisional review meeting in Deoghar on Thursday, Imran said action would be taken against the concerned agency and contractor if any lapse or unnecessary delay was found.He stressed that Jharkhand must meet the Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 targets by Dec 2028 and said delays in implementing schemes would not be tolerated. Officials were asked to fix responsibility at every level of execution.The meeting reviewed progress in the six Santhal Pargana districts of Deoghar, Dumka, Godda, Sahibganj, Jamtara and Pakur. It was the second phase of the department’s statewide review, following the Ranchi division. Reviews of the Palamu and Kolhan divisions will be held next.Mission director Shashi Ranjan outlined steps to speed up implementation. Officials were told to expedite ‘Har Ghar Jal’ certification for completed projects, resolve pending land and inter-departmental clearances, and conduct regular water quality tests.Imran also emphasised protecting water sources and infrastructure. He directed officials to take effective steps against unauthorised mining and sand extraction near intake wells and other water sources.The department also asked officials to accelerate multi-village schemes, improve water tariff collection and develop community-based systems for operation and maintenance.Under Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin, officials were directed to expand ‘5-star ODF plus’ villages, with priority given to settlements covered under PM-JANMAN, Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana and the ‘aspirational districts’ programme.
