Kolkata: West Bengal Public Health Engineering (PHE) Directorate has directed officials to collect and test drinking water samples from all schools across the state and issue water-quality certificates.The move is part of Swachh Evam Harit Vidyalaya Rating (SHVR) initiative and follows a directive from Paschim Banga Samagra Shiksha Mission under the school education department.In a recent order, Chief Engineer (Planning & Water Quality Monitoring), PHE Directorate, asked executive engineers to complete the sampling and testing by Oct 31. The decision was taken at the second Executive Committee meeting of Jal Jeevan Mission, Bengal, on Sept 23.“As per my knowledge, govt directing water testing through a proper notification is happening for the first time. We heartily welcome the move; however, I urge govt to take up repair and renovation work of govt schools, many of which are in ruins,” said Saugata Basu of West Bengal Govt School Teachers’ Association.
