Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy today directed officials to give utmost priority to drinking water supply in the coming summer. Reddy, who held a review with officials on water- related issues, asked the Finance Department to release the required funds, particularly to meet the water needs, during summer. He told officials concerned that if necessary drinking water should be drawn from the irrigation sources, an official release said here. The Chief Minister asked the Rural Water Supply department to supply water through tankers in all the needy areas, concentrating particularly on places where there is severe scarcity. He said water supply in rural and urban areas should be monitored closely and all bore wells should be repaired immediately. The Chief Minister would hold a video conference with District Collectors and other officials in a few days. Reddy asked the officials to direct the Collectors to prepare summer action plan for drinking water supply in each district, the release said. Ministers K Jana Reddy (Panchayat Raj and Rural Water Supply), M Maheedhar Reddy (Municipal Administration), P Sudarshan Reddy (Major Irrigation), T G Venkatesh (Minor Irrigation), Chief Secretary Minnie Mathew and other senior officials attended the meeting. The CM asked the Energy Department to provide dedicated lines and transformers for drinking water supply. He said there should be synchronisation of power and drinking water supply systems, the release added. PTI
