'Drinking water in all Delhi government schools by October 2'

The Delhi government on Saturday said it has decided to ensure potable water reaches every school by Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary (October 2).

"We have to provide the fundamental right to water to all our school children along with the right to education. Our Delhi Jal Board will ensure that our children's lives improve," Delhi Water Minister Kapil Mishra said.

Stating that the education department would identify schools without a water connection and submit the list to the Delhi Jal Board and Public Works Department by August 16, the minister said he wants the task to be "positively" finished by October 2.

He said that schools run by municipal bodies will also be mapped.

Of about 1,700 schools maintained by the government and civic bodies, many are in a poor condition and don't have basic amenities such as toilets and drinking water.