United efforts a must to achieve Jal Jeevan Mission target: CM Himanta

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has called for united efforts from the north-eastern states to achieve the target of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).

The Chief Minister attended the conference of PHED Ministers of North Eastern states on JJM in the presence of Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

Appreciating the Union Minister for holding the conference at Guwahati, the Chief Minister said that the initiative would immensely help in overcoming the challenges and guide the states on the way forward in the implementation of the Mission in the region.

Sarma said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for ensuring the availability of potable drinking water in every rural household and public institution through Jal Jeevan Mission is a big opportunity for the northeastern states, and the Mission would significantly help in addressing health-related issues in the region.

Sarma said that as the Government of India has extended all technical and financial support for the implementation of the Mission, the north-eastern states also must put united effort to achieve the set target within the stipulated time frame.

Underlining the importance of durability of the infrastructures built under the Mission, the Chief Minister appreciated the step taken by the Prime Minister for continuous involvement of women and other stakeholders in the management of the schemes developed to provide potable drinking water.

The Chief Minister said that the state has made significant progress in the implementation of the Mission in the last three months and since August more than 6700 families have been provided tap water connections every day.

He also said that for minimizing delays and expediting works in the implementation of the Mission, Deputy Commissioners have been empowered to allow works to contractors, complete works and release payments at the district level. He also informed that the State government has been aggressively working to provide tap water connections to every household in 800 tea gardens in the state, apart from providing connection to awanwadi centres and educational institutions on a priority basis.

The Chief Minister further said he is personally reviewing the status of the Mission every month and the state government has created three new divisions of the PHE Department for its speedy implementation. Sarma further said that though the target has been set to cover 100% rural households and public institutions under the Mission within 2024, the state would be able to achieve the target ahead of the scheduled period.

PHED Ministers of Assam Ranjeet Kumar Dass, Arunachal Pradesh's Wangki Lowang, Manipur's Losii Dikho, Meghalaya's Renikton Lyngdoh Tongper, Mizoram's Pu Tawnluia, Nagaland's Jacob Zhimomi and Tripura's Sushanta Chowdhury; senior officials of the Jal Shakti Ministry and governments of the north-eastern states were also present in the conference, a press release said.

Also read: Expedite Jal Jeevan Mission Implementation by Empowering DCs: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Also Watch: