Gangtok, November 19 (IPR):
The first meeting of the District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM) along with the Launch of the World Toilet Day Campaign was held at the conference hall of the District Administrative Centre (DAC), Gangtok.
The meeting had the presence of Ms Kala Rai, Burtuk MLA cum Advisor RDD; Mr Delay Namgyal Barfungpa, Gangtok MLA cum Advisor UDD; Mr Tenzing Norbu Lamtha, MLA Shyari; Mr Tushar Nikhare, DC Gangtok; ADCs, SDMs, Panchayat Presidents, BDOs, district members of DWSM, and officials from the engineering cell of concerned departments.
Mr Tenzing Lamtha addressed critical community issues in his remarks, focusing on the non-functional toilet along Bhusuk Road. He highlighted completed toilet projects and those in need of renovation. As the elected representative of Shyari, he emphasised the necessity of regular maintenance for community centres and the importance of sustainable planning for ongoing projects.
In relation to the Jal Jeevan Mission, he urged engineers to engage in meticulous planning and to utilise high-quality materials. He highlighted the vital need to protect water sources and ensure that every household has access to clean and reliable water.
Furthermore, he called upon all allied departments to collaborate closely to achieve 100% coverage in every ward. He said that the inter-department should work together and commit towards a dedication to enhancing infrastructure and improving the overall quality of life for the community.
Mr Delay Namgyal Barfungpa expressed his gratitude to all participants for their valuable insights and contributions. He emphasised that cleanliness is next to godliness, which begins at home and should be a fundamental value ingrained in everyone’s daily life. He noted that this principle does not require constant reminders, urging all members to embody this ethos in their personal and professional environments.
He stressed the need for better coordination and collaboration among the various divisions within the department. By working together more effectively, the team can achieve its shared goals and enhance overall efficiency, he added.
Further, he took a moment to thank DC Gangtok for inviting him to the meeting. He expressed confidence that the ongoing projects would be successfully completed under the DC’s guidance, highlighting the importance of strong leadership in driving initiatives forward. He encouraged all attendees to actively support initiatives such as the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and to observe World Toilet Day, reinforcing that community involvement is crucial for success.
Lastly, he urged officials and panchayat members to work together harmoniously towards realizing the vision of a “Sunalo Ani Saamarth Sikkim”. He called for unity and collaborative efforts to foster a cleaner and more capable state. He concluded by requesting the Administration to revive the water springs falling under Gangtok constituency to address the water shortage in the capital under Dhara Vikash Project.
Ms Kala Rai said that today's meeting recognises the significance of World Toilet Day and the transformative goals of the JJM, articulating that a project like JJM will not come again. She urged the departments to utilise government resources appropriately stating that the responsibility of improving the state does not rest solely with the government departments rather it extends to every individual. She emphasised the critical role that sanitation plays in public health and environmental sustainability. To achieve this ambitious goal, it is vital for all departments to work in close coordination, she added.
Highlighting the importance of coordination and efficient planning among officials and elected representatives, she urged them to collaborate closely. She emphasised that such teamwork would lead to sustainable outcomes and long-term benefits for the community.
Subsequently, Mr Milan Rai, ADC(Dev)/RDD, Gangtok in his Power Point presentation (PPT) gave details of DWSM and WTD followed by a PPT on SBM(Grameen) within Gangtok District. Similarly, PPT on SBM( Urban) was presented by Gangtok Municipal Corporation and PPT on SBM(Urban), Singtam Nagar Panchayat was also shared in the meeting. Likewise, report on implementation and present status of JJM was given by DPO, GDZP and his team of Officials.
Mr Tushar Nikhare assessed the current status and challenges of ongoing projects, announcing that the DWSM meetings will now occur monthly. This shift aims to ensure timely completion of projects, with all stakeholders held accountable for meeting deadlines. Additionally, he emphasised the importance of adequate drinking water supply and toilet facilities at Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Centers. To address this, he instructed the concerned department to submit a comprehensive report outlining requirements during the next DWSM meeting.
The meeting was taken forward with a fruitful Discussion and Presentation of the Dhara Vikash Project under RDD by Dr Subash Dhakal, Deputy Director RDD.
The meet also saw distribution of Sanction Letters to six IHHL beneficiaries:
1 Ms Meena Kumari Cheytri, Upper Rakdong Ward, Radong Tintek GPU.
2 Ms Leena Maya Luitel, Raley Ward, Samdong Kambal GPU
3 Ms Rupa Chettri, Lower Samlik Ward, Samlick Marchak GPU
4 Ms Dawa Lepcha, Aaley Ward, Samlick Marchak, Ward
5 Ms Amrita Kami, Badong Ward, Khamdong GPU
6 Mr Sujal Gadal, Badong Ward, Khamdong GPU
Earlier, Mr Tushar Nikhare opened the meeting by announcing the celebration of World Toilet Day, observed annually on November 19, which highlights the critical need for proper sanitation. He emphasised that the mission behind this initiative is deeply rooted in our values and history.
He identified several key focus areas, including Sanctioned Projects versus Functionality, Accountability, and Reporting. He urged all field engineers and team members to provide detailed reports on the status of sanitation facilities in their respective areas. Additionally, he requested comprehensive updates on the status of Resource Recovery Vehicles and Community Sanitation Centers (CSCs), as well as information from the gram panchayat regarding toilet facilities along the highway.
Mr Tushar Nikhare stressed the importance of prioritizing sanitation and aspirational toilets, asking for a cumulative report to be presented at the next meeting. He emphasised better coordination and time-bound implementation of schemes to ensure universal access to safe drinking water. Lastly, he called on everyone to commit to making a meaningful impact through this campaign.
The meeting also had a discussion among participants to take actionable steps toward these goals, ensuring that cleanliness and community engagement remain at the forefront of their efforts.
It is here to be mentioned that the DC directed a joint survey of Khamdong regarding the Dhara Vikash by the line departments on November 25, 2024 (Monday).
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Mr Sisum Wangchuk Bhutia, ADC Gangtok.