Continuing with his surprise checks, Health Minister Anil Vij today inspected the overhead water tanks installed at Haryana Civil Secretariat here and directed the concerned officers to take samples of water after he found "algae, silt and layers of rust" in them.
Vij said a detailed report in this regard has been sent by his department to Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki who is also the Administrator of Chandigarh Union Territory.
He said that by looking at the tanks, it seemed that these had not been cleaned since long. "Algae, silt and layers of rust were found in these water tanks. Under these circumstances, disease can outbreak at any time," he told reporters.
Expressing serious concern over the neglect of drinking water tanks, the health minister said, "Although, UT Administration is responsible for maintenance of these water tanks, the water is used for drinking by employees working in Haryana Civil Secretariat, ministers and people coming from throughout the state. So, clean water is necessary for protecting people against diseases."
Vij, who has been conducting such surprise checks at various places in the state, however, this time carried out the inspection at Chandigarh.
The officers of Public Health Engineering Department of Haryana and Chandigarh UT Administration were also present on the occasion.
Vij, meanwhile, said directions have also been issued to clean water tanks installed in all schools, colleges, hotels, bus stands and public places in Haryana within one week and the period is about to end.
"After this, samples of water tanks would be got checked and in case if a sample fails, action would be initiated against head of the concerned institution," he said.
The minister, who is a five-time BJP MLA from Ambala Cantt, said these steps have been taken to control diarrhoea and other water-borne diseases in the state and full arrangements have been made in this regard.
The civil surgeons deputed in districts have been also been directed to ensure full stock of ORS and other medicines. If even after this, if any complaint is received, it would be dealt with strictly, he added.
