To ensure safe drinking water to the people across the state especially in the rural areas, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today sought personal intervention of the Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy Dr. Ratan Kumar Sinha to bail out the State with some latest and proven technology to effectively treat the underground water infected with uranium and other heavy metals. Taking part in the deliberations, the Chief Minister in a meeting with Mr. Sinha at New Delhi this morning apprised him that recently out of the 8500 tubewells based drinking water schemes, 1000 samples were taken and tested. Consequently these samples were found with uranium levels in excess of WHO standard, which was a matter of grave concern for all of us. Mr. Badal urged Mr. Sinha to immediately establish a Water Testing laboratory in the state and suggest the best available technology to treat the underground water for making it fit for drinking purpose. Summing up the discussion, Mr. Sinha highly appreciated the Chief Minister for showing deep concern for the poor quality of drinking water due to the presence of uranium and other heavy metals which was subsequently responsible for the growing the trend of cancer in the rural areas especially in the Malwa belt. Mr. Sinha assured the Chief Minister that he would soon dispatch a team of senior officers and Hydrologists to assess the ground realities related to the problems of under ground water and also suggest effective remedial measures through the best available technology for the treatment of the infected water to make it fit for human consumption. He also lauded the role of Mr. Badal for the cleaning of Rivers which would help the state to achieve the goal to provide potable drinking water to its entire population in the near future and impressed upon other states to follow the suit. Mr. Sinha reiterated that he wanted Punjab to lead the entire country in its mission to provide safe drinking water to its population and the Department of Atomic Energy would extend all possible help and support for this noble venture. The Chief Minister was accompanied his Special Principal Secretary Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar and Principal Secretary Health Vini Mahajan.