Ranchi, March 31: State water resources and drinking water and sanitation minister Chandra Prakash Choudhary today claimed the government was ready to fight water crisis imminent due to depleting groundwater and surface water levels of ponds and lakes in the summer months across Jharkhand.

"Special cells to get water-related complaints have been formed at district, division and block headquarters besides at offices of junior engineers concerned. People can also register their complaints on the toll-free 18003456502 of the drinking water and sanitation department call centre from 8am to 8pm 365 days," said Choudhary, while addressing a news conference at his official residence in Ranchi today.

He added 13,552 old hand pumps had been replaced across the state and the non-functional ones would be repaired. "Our target is to install 40,000 new hand pumps in the 2016-17 fiscal beginning tomorrow. Besides, ensuring piped water supply to 19 block headquarters and one area in every Assembly constituency, recommended by the local MLAs, will be taken up on priority basis in the new fiscal. Solar water pumps will be installed in hamlets dominated by particularly vulnerable tribal groups," he said.

He further said: "Ponds will be dug in every Assembly constituency at the recommendations of the MLAs concerned. The industrial houses too have been requested to take proactive steps under their corporate social responsibility schemes. We have also initiated steps to improve water storage at Hatia dam in Ranchi," he added.

The minister then went on to boast about the achievements of his departments.

"In 2015-16, 88 per cent of the available budgetary allocations to the drinking water and sanitation department has been utilised, which is a record in itself. Dulmi, Kersai, Churchu Danda and Sahebganj blocks have now become open defecation-free. Besides, Jharkhand has been ranked first in the execution of Nirmal Neer Pariyojana," said Choudhary.

He again said the coverage area of piped water supply was increased from 13.7 per cent to 22.86 per cent and in the new fiscal, the aim was to extend it to 35 per cent. However, the current national average is 40.98 per cent.

"In the water resources department too, we are set to spend over Rs 1,100 core against the available Rs 1,270 crore, which is another great achievement," the minister said.