Targets Set to Certify 145 More Villages Under ‘Har Ghar Jal’; Contractors Failing to Perform Will Face Termination and Penalties
Published on: July 30, 2025
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
During a review meeting of the District Water and Sanitation Committee under the Jal Jeevan Mission, Collector Dr. Sarveshwar Narendra Bhure emphasized that all assigned tasks must be completed with utmost seriousness by September 30. He issued a strict warning that negligence in execution would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
The district has successfully certified 80 villages with ‘Har Ghar Jal’ status over the past two months, and the next target involves certifying 145 additional villages. Dr. Bhure directed all sub-engineers to complete pending projects on time. He also instructed coordination with sarpanches for speedy handover of completed infrastructures and mandated that Gram Panchayats take over the operations and maintenance responsibilities.
In cases where contractors have failed to begin construction of water tanks, the Collector ordered immediate cancellation of their tenders and re-tendering of the projects. Contractors showing disinterest will face serious consequences, including forfeiture of their security deposits and blacklisting from all Rajnandgaon division contracts for a year.
To ensure the sustainability of water supply infrastructure, he directed the training of “Nal Jal Mitras” (local water caretakers) for the operation and maintenance of water reservoirs. He also recommended monthly collection of user charges based on family size in rural areas.
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The meeting also covered updates under CREDA-led solar-powered water supply projects, eligibility criteria for risk and cost tenders, and payment processing for group tap water supply schemes.
Executive Engineer of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, Mr. Sameer Sharma, reported that work is completed in 153 villages and nearing completion in 17 more. He informed that contracts in 57 villages were reallocated after previous contractors failed to perform. This has led to completion in 11 additional villages and significant progress in 23 others.
A final show-cause notice was issued to M/s Shriram Construction & Suppliers, Dongargarh, for failure to complete work in Khaprikala village, and their contract has been officially terminated.
The meeting was attended by Zila Panchayat CEO Ms. Suruchi Singh, Program Officer of Women and Child Development Department Ms. Gurpreet Kaur, Executive Engineer of CREDA Ms. Purnima Gupta, PHE officials including Mr. Vatan Singh Rajput, and other sub-engineers and SDOs.
