The state government is taking special precautions to overcome the challenge of paucity of drinking water in commonly draught-affected Bilaspur district this summer and 25 new hand pumps would be set up in each subdivision this summer here in the district.

This was stated by Ram Lal Thakur, chairman, HP State Planning Development and 20-Point Implementation Committee, while talking to mediapersons at Suharghat, 42 km from here, on Tuesday.