Khandre says ensuring clean drinking water to rural areas is his priority

Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar Khandre has stated that ensuring supply of clean drinking water to rural areas was his first priority.

Speaking to media persons after meeting AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge in Bengaluru, Mr. Khandre said the government had a long-term vision of supplying surface water for drinking purposes for the next 25 years. Honest efforts would be made to translate this into reality, he said.

The Minister said he would also give priority for maintaining cleanliness in villages besides improving rural infrastructure. Listing other priorities, he said efforts would also be made to protect water sources including ponds in villages.

He was beginning his task by holding a meeting with senior officials of his department on Saturday, he noted.

Stating that his predecessor Priyank Kharge had worked effectively as RDPR Minister, Mr. Khandre said he would give importance to completing the schemes taken up by him.