Govt schools in Karnataka to get potable piped water supply

MANGALURU: Most government schools and anganwadis in the state are expected to get potable piped water. Though most of the calls that the department of rural drinking water and sanitation are receiving on the Parihara call centre number 94809 85555, are from households, the department is confident of providing piped water supply to most of the anganwadis and schools, as part of the 100-day campaign launched under the Jal Jeevan Mission.The ongoing mission was launched on October 2.
R Vishal, commissioner, department of rural drinking water and sanitation, told TOI, “We already have a master database for the whole state, and have been working on it for the past one-and-a-half months.
We are getting a few genuine calls. Usually, the water supply and sanitation requests are from people for households. Schools and anganwadis have remained closed, and a few of them are proactively reaching out to us. The department has already identified schools, and has given administrative approval for piped potable water supply,” he said.
The target is to reach out to at least 40,000 schools and anganwadis, that is an approximate 12,000 schools and 27,000 anganwadis.
From a sustainable source, a pipeline, storage facility and a tap are provided to the beneficiary educational institution. The government will provide Rs 15,000 for every anganwadi and Rs 20,000 for every school, for potable piped water. In case the budget is higher, then the local gram panchayat resources, or the 15th finance commission contribution, or other resources can be tapped.
“We are trying to provide three taps, for the toilet, place where cleaning takes place, and kitchen. These are schools and anganwadis, that already have a rudimentary water supply system in place, or have it nearby. We are sourcing it, and attempting to supply it right at their doorstep,” he said.
The Kalaburagi, Raichur and Yadgir districts have fewer tap connections, and the requirements are more in the backward districts. The Parihara number is widely used for all sanitation and water issues in rural areas.