The government will focus on quality to ensure safe drinking water to rural as well as urban people of the country. The Minister of Drinking water and sanitation Jairam Ramesh today said that government is going to make strategic changes in its approach and Health issues related to water will be dealt firmly in the coming fiscal year. He emphasised that water supplied for drinking has to be free of any health hazard.

Chairing the 2nd National Drinking Water and Sanitation council meeting in New Delhi, the Minister stressed the need to create pool of resources to establish water testing laboratories at district and sub divisional levels.

Mr. Ramesh said that there is need to create awareness about the finite nature of ground and surface water resources. He said coordination and convergence between various departments and ministries dealing with water has to be increased.

The Minister said that government will now focus on community based toilets and water facilities rather than providing financial assistance to individuals.

The representatives of various ministries put their points of view on safe drinking water supply and sanitation issues.