DW BUREAU / Chandigarh Under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab government has started surface water projects worth Rs 1963 crore to ensure potable water supply to 1700 villages in the state. Out of this amount, Rs. 578 crore has been set aside for the border district Fazilka. This amount would be spent in Abohar, Balluana and Khuia Sarwar areas of District. Disclosing this, Punjab Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa said that concerted efforts are being made by the Punjab government to improve the quality of drinking water in the border areas. Many projects have been initiated to raise the standard of living and provide basic amenities to the people. Mr. Jimpa said that he participated in the national conference 'Water Vision@ 2047' at Bhopal last week and raised the issue of poor water quality in the border districts of Punjab, besides seeking funds from the union government for the improvement of water quality in the border districts and a large part of the central funds should be allocated to these areas. He participated in a function of water supply and sanitation department held at Balluana constituency, where he laid the foundation stone of Rs. 40 crore work of laying pipes for the supply of drinking water supply. Apart from this, Minister dedicated a rural water supply scheme worth Rs. 4 crore to the people. Similarly, he also dedicated the water works projects in villages Dharam Pura and Mehrajpura worth Rs. 9 crores to the citizens of the constituency. Jimpa also informed that in the areas where the quality of drinking water is poor, possibilities of setting up the R.O. plants are also being explored. Mr. Jimpa further said that the ground water of Ferozepur, Fazilka, Gurdaspur and many other districts like Bathinda along the international border is not fit for human consumption. Elements like heavy metal and uranium are being found in the water due to which many people are suffering from cancer and other serious ailments. He said that hair of children is turning grey and people are also suffering various other diseases. He said that the government is doing a lot of work in these areas and efforts are being made at large scale. The projects launched today are the part of the works started by Mann Govt. He said that the Punjab government is committed to take care of every section of the state. (editor@dailyworld.in)