New Delhi: Stressing on the importance on lives of people, Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan made a call to initiate a 'Swachh Pani Abhiyan'

The mission which is in line with PM Modi’s 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' is a mission to ensure clean water for everyone.

The vision of the Prime minister is to provide piped drinking water to every household by the year 2024, Paswan stated, adding that the Abhiyan, which was started off in Delhi, will make its way to the rest of the country.

A statement emphasised that the provision of clean water is an issue that concerns the lives of people and not an issue of consumer rights.

A meeting between officials from the Ministry of Jal Shakti and Department of Consumer Affairs, the FSSAI, and authorities from Bureau of India Standards (BIS), led by Union minister Paswan, observed that the enforcement of standards for drinking water, as set by the BIS, can only  be done once the said standards are made mandatory.

The standards set by BIS for drinking water are voluntary.

All samples that were taken from 11 regions of Delhi and tested on 42 parameters, such as odour, total dissolved solids (TDS), metal content and PH levels had failed to meet BIS standards.

Throwing light on the numerous issues faced in Delhi with regard to it, the statement asserted that it was the responsibility of DJB to ensure residents are provided clean drinking water

BIS officials have been directed to compile results of tests from samples collected from state capitals by November.

BIS has also been instructed to write letters to all states to create unanimity in making its standards mandatory, Paswan stated, stressing on the impact drinking water has on the lives of people, especially children.