National   

PM calls for water audit

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI JUNE 22. While declaring water conservation a national mission, the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, has suggested that all industrial units, hotels, Government offices and commercial establishments conduct a water audit to see how significant and targeted saving of water could be achieved.

Mr. Vajpayee directed the Prime Minister's Office to achieve at least 10 per cent reduction in usage of water.

Making an appeal for sustaining all sources of water, the Prime Minister suggested that July should be observed as `water month' and the period may be used for conducting awareness activities, shramdaan in schools, colleges and workplaces.

``Let every household, every housing society and colony, every panchayat and municipal body consider how it can save water and implement rainwater harvesting, water recycling and other measures before the end of this rainy season,'' he said in a statement here today.

He also emphasised the need for cleaning up polluted rivers, lakes and ponds. ``Our scientists should take up development of low-cost water-saving technologies as a major challenge.''

``Let us collectively address the problem of water shortage, which is assuming crisis proportions with every passing year, by conserving every drop of water. This problem can be dealt with effectively only through a sustained partnership between citizens, people's organisations, various water users and the Government at all levels,'' Mr. Vajpayee said.

The Prime Minister called for short-term as well as long-term measures, all of which have to be taken up with utmost urgency and a sense of national mission. He reminded the people that recognising the global nature of the problem, the United Nations has called for observing 2004 as `International Year of Fresh Water'.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Legislation the only way out, says RSS
• Bleach case referred to Law Department: Advani
• Togadia opposes any `compromise formula'
• PM calls for water audit
• Rationing to choke militants' supply lines
• Thailand for free trade accord with India
• MLA turns against Mayawati
• Flying high in a Sukhoi
• Passengers jump out of train
• Taj heritage project against statutory provisions: Jagmohan
• Crouching tiger, hidden dragon?
• 139 Sikh pilgrims return from Pak.
• NCP leader against Acharya's proposal

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu