The Mizoram government has been urged to ramp up the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in the state.
Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in his letter to the Chief Minister of Mizoram, Zoramthanga, expressed his concerns over the slow progress of the JJM implementation in the northeastern state and said that providing potable water to every rural household is a national priority and the state should make efforts to accomplish the goal in time-bound manner, a PIB release stated.
The Jal Shakti minister urged the CM to focus on taking up works immediately in a ‘campaign mode’ in 655 villages in the state reported to have existing piped water supply schemes.
"Under Jal Jeevan Mission, Mizoram was allocated Rs 39.87 Crore in 2019-20 and with performance grant, total Rs 68.05 Crore was released, out of which the state could only spend Rs 37.41 Crore, leaving an unspent balance of Rs 30.78 Crore. The allocation for Mizoram has been increased to Rs 79.30 Crore in 2020-21, and with opening balance of Rs 30.78 Crore, Mizoram has assured availability of Rs. 110.08 Crore of Central fund. With matching state share, the state will have Rs 122.30 Crore during 2020-21 for implementation of JJM," the release stated.
The Jal Shakti minister requested the CM to take up water supply works in all villages to provide household tap connections which in turn will help in practicing social distancing. “In the wake of Covid–19 pandemic, it is important that people don’t crowd public stand-posts/public water sources,” it stated.
The union minister further assured his full support to make Mizoram a ‘100 per cent FHTCs State’ by December, 2022 while adding that he intends to discuss the planning and implementation of JJM with CM Zoramthanga through video conferencing soon.
In 2020-21, Mizoram has been allocated ₹ 93 Crore as 15th Finance Commission Grants to PRIs and 50 per cent of this amount is mandatorily to be utilized for water supply and sanitation. Funds provided under Swachh Bharat Mission (G) are to be utilized for grey water treatment and reuse works, the release added.
Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide potable drinking water to every rural household through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) by 2024. The Mission is a tool to provide security and dignity to rural women, especially girls.
