Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Jammu and Kashmir receives a significant boost with the approval of 102 new Water Supply Schemes by the Central Government. Valued at Rs 476.71 crore, these schemes aim to cover an additional 54,752 rural households in the Union Territory, ensuring Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) were not initially planned.
The identification of these areas and households was carried out through public outreach programs like ‘Back to Village,’ Block Divas, JJM Fortnight, Gram Sabhas, and JJM awareness camps, where the public expressed the need to include these left-out areas in the Jal Jeevan Mission.
The Centre’s approval for these 102 schemes ensures that every household has access to a tap connection within its premises.
The UT administration extends its gratitude to the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, for the timely approval of the new schemes, covering an additional 54,752 households.
Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti, urges engineers to expedite the execution of these schemes to meet the agreed timelines. He emphasizes transparency, accountability, and accessibility for effective implementation of the mission.
Jal Jeevan Mission is a collaborative effort involving various stakeholders, including the Central Government’s Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Jal Shakti Department, J&K, District Administrations, and local communities. Pani Samitis representing local communities play a crucial role in planning, implementing, and monitoring mission activities.
Jammu and Kashmir have achieved over 75% coverage of tap water connections, entering the ‘High Achievers’ category at the national level. The FHTCs provided are reported on the Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) portal of JJM with Aadhar linkage of the beneficiaries.
Currently, more than 3,300 schemes are planned under the Jal Jeevan Mission, with an estimated cost of Rs. 12,975.00 crore, at different stages of execution. The UT has covered over 1,000 villages, including remote areas near the LoC. Some villages like Batlan, Taraiyan, Chanbra, Nilfan, and others have received piped water for the first time.
Har Ghar Jal Certification by Gram Panchayats has been instituted to ensure transparency and community ownership in providing tap water connectivity. This certification involves a Special Gram Sabha resolution confirming villages reported as Har Ghar Jal by the PHE Department.
