New Delhi (NVI): Presenting the state Annual Action Plan for 2021-22 under Jal Jeevan Mission, Gujarat government said that it is planning to provide 10 lakh tap water connections in the rural areas.
According to the day, during 2020-21, the state received the performance incentive grant of Rs.100 crore under the JJM for better performance.
During the presentation, Gujarat reiterated the commitment to achieve ‘Har Ghar Jal’ target by 2022-23.
As per the statement, the state has over 93 lakh rural households, out of which 77.16 lakh (83%) have tap water supply.
12 lakh tap water connections have been provided in rural households in the state in the last 1½ year under Jal Jeevan Mission.
“So far, 5 districts, 31 blocks and 8,242 villages in Gujarat have been declared ‘Har Ghar Jal’. The State was urged to give more emphasis on the priority areas like SC/ ST dominated habitations, SAGY villages, etc,” it added.
The statement said that the committee appreciated the efforts made by the state in providing 100% piped water supply in all schools and anganwadi centres under the 100-day campaign launched on October 2, 2020.
The Annual Action Plan was presented to the national committee chaired by the Secretary, Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation via video conference.
After the exercise of taking up the Annual Action Plan of states and UTs, funds are released throughout the year based on the progress and expenditure incurred from time-to-time.
“The detailed planning exercise is undertaken to help the State to achieve the goal ‘Har Ghar Jal’,” it said.
Under Jal Jeevan Mission, in 2021-22, in addition to Rs 50,011 crore budgetary allocation for JJM, there is also Rs 26,940 crore assured fund available under the 15th Finance Commission tied-grant to RLB/ PRIs for water and sanitation, matching State share and externally aided as well as State funded projects.
Thus, in 2021-22, more than Rs. 1 lakh Crore is planned to be invested in the country on ensuring tap water supply to rural homes.
The AAP emphasizes on drinking water source strengthening/ augmentation, water supply works to provide tap water connections to households, greywater treatment and reuse, and operation and maintenance of in-village water supply system.
According to the statement, the state is planning to engage experts or support staff of 765 people in State, District and sub-district level.
In addition to it, they plan to train 8,520 people from Engineering cadre (Superintendent Engineer, Executive Engineer, Assistant Engineer and Junior Engineer), block level officials, Pani Samiti members. 6,000 personnel in the State will also be trained as plumber, electrician, fitter, mason, pump operator and motor mechanic. This trained human resource will be used to build the water supply infrastructure as well as their operation and maintenance.
JJM is a flagship programme of the union government, which aims to provide tap water connection in every rural household by 2024.
In 2020-21, Rs 983 (including performance incentive of Rs. 100 crore) crore was released to the state to provide assured tap water supply in rural areas. In the 2021-22, Gujarat is likely to get about Rs. 2,000 crore as Central funds to take up various works under Jal Jeevan Mission.
PRT
