MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD BETWEEN SECRETARY (DWS)
AND SECRETARY (DWCD),
GOVERNEMENT OF INDIA ON COORDINATION BETWEEN THE TWO DEPARTMENTS.
1. A coordination meeting between
Shri Palat Mohandas, Secretary, Department of Drinking Water Supply
and Mrs. Kasturi Gupta Menon, Secretary, Department of Women &
Child Development was held on 5th April, 2004 at 10.30 a.m. in
the Office chamber of Secretary (DWS), in Nirman Bhawan. The meeting
was attended by the following officials as well:
| Department of Drinking
Water Supply |
Department of Women & Child
Development |
| Shri Rakesh Behari, Joint
Secretary |
Mrs. R . Savithri, Deputy
Secretary |
| Shri Kumar Alok, Deputy
Secretary |
Shri M.S. Negi, Under Secretary |
2. Initiating the discussion,
Secretary (DWS) highlighted the importance of coordination between
the two departments to promote convergence of efforts for better
implementation of water, sanitation and ICDS programmes. Secretary
(DWCD) appreciated the initiative taken by Secretary (DWS) for
holding this coordination meeting and acknowledged the necessity
of coordination between the two departments. She mentioned it
was essential that all Anganwadis were provided with water supply
and sanitation facilities. Under the ICDS programme, there was
no provision to provide such facilities except in the case of
those ICDS centres, which were constructed with funds from the
World Bank. It was felt that all new Anganwadis should be constructed
with water supply and sanitation facilities.
3. It was noted that a large
number of Anganwadis did not have their own buildings and were
functioning in private or community buildings. The exact number
of Anganwadis operating in Government, private or community buildings
and the status of availability of water and sanitation facilities
was not readily available with DWCD. Secretary (DWCD) agreed to
issue instructions to the State Secretaries to furnish this data
immediately, which would facilitate proper planning. She desired
that funds under TSC and ARWSP might be provided for extending
water and sanitation facilities in Anganwadis.
4. Issue of providing water
and sanitation facilities in Anganwadis located in private buildings
was discussed in detail and it was felt that in the forthcoming
conference of State Secretaries in-charge of ICDS. Various available
options in the matter could be deliberated upon and appropriate
decisions taken. Secretary (DWCD) appreciated the suggestions
of Secretary (DWS) for providing toilet facilities in private
Anganwadis.
5. Secretary (DWCD) agreed that
Anganwadi workers working at the village level could play a key
role in motivating women for taking up the construction of toilets
in their houses. Suitable instructions on this matter could be
issued to the State Secretaries.
6. Secretary (DWCD) mentioned
that on 15-16 April, 2004 a two day conference of State Secretaries
in-charge of ICDS was being organized and she desired that issues
relating to water and sanitation could be discussed in detail
in the conference. She suggested that a representative from the
Department of Drinking Water Supply could attend the conference
and address the State Secretaries on the relevant issues.
7. Secretary (DWS) desired that
the technical notes for school and Anganwadi toilets might be
shared with DWCD and State ICDS Secretaries.
8. It was also decided that
Secretary (DWCD) would issue letters to State Secretaries on various
issues related to water and sanitation for which necessary inputs
might be provided by the Department of Drinking Water Supply.
The meeting ended with thanks
to all.
| -Sd/- |
-Sd/- |
Mrs. Kasturi Gupta Menon (Secretary)
Dept. of Women & Child Development |
Mr. Palat Mohandas (Secretary)
Dept. of Drinking Water Supply |