Assam which started with 1% development has now achieved 54% progress under Jal Jeevan Mission

Guwahati, Jul 07, 2023, PIB

The north-eastern states have made significant progress in respect of the 'Jal Jeevan Mission'. A state like Assam which started with 1% development has now achieved 54% progress under Jal Jeevan Mission. This was stated by Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at Guwahati today in a press briefing. 
The Union Minister today chaired the review meeting with NE States on the progress of JJM and SBM (G) to expedite the implementation of the 2 flagship schemes in the Northeastern States. State PHE Ministers and other State senior officials attended the meeting. Secretary DDWS, AS&MD (NJJM), JS&MD (SBM) and other senior officers from the Ministry were also present.
Briefing the media, he acknowledged the efforts of Chief minister of Assam, who analysed periodically about the progress and State Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah for this advancement in Jal Jeevan Mission project in Assam. He also hopes Assam will achieve the desired goal in 2024. He said -- except Assam, all northeastern states will achieve the 100% goal of Jal Jeevan Mission in 26th January of 2024.
Addressing the event He said, “We know that swachhta and drinking water are the main elements of ease of living for people and strengthening of Gramin Bharat. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a resolution in the year 2014 from Red Fort -- in the coming five years the India to declare as ‘open defecation free’, which is now achieved, is now considered as a step towards complete sanitation. Now village is progressing to establish waste management like solid waste management, organic waste management, plastic waste management as well as management of cow-dung.  
He informed that -- Starting from 2019, 40% of villages in our country got ODF status. Moreover, Sikkim today achieved 100% ODF status. Such progress of swachhata has definitely improved the lifestyle of village people.
Earlier, when 62% citizens were without proper sanitation systems, now 100% of the population of India have accessible toilets, either in home or having community toilets. Regarding safe drinking water and accessible water India achieved 64% progress as well. -- he informed.  

 
The meeting began with a welcome address by the PHE Minister of Assam Shri Jayanta Malla Baruah, followed by setting of the agenda by Secretary Drinking Water and Sanitation Ms Vini Mahajan who shared the mission’s overview and status of implementation of works in the various States. She stressed on the need of awarding of all tenders, quality of implementation, financial progress, Operation and Maintenance policy, handing over of assets to the village communities, skill development, source sustainability and other important aspects of the missions. 
It may be recalled that last review meeting was held on May 1st 2023 in Guwahati. State Ministers presented the progress of JJM and SBM in brief. Shri Shekhawat expressed his satisfaction on the performance since last meeting.
Thanking all the State Ministers and officials for their active participation in the review meeting, the Union Minister, Jal Shakti appreciated their concerns as well as valuable suggestions to bring improvement in the pace of implementation of the missions along with ensuring the quality of works. Mentioning about various life changing initiatives of the Government of India to improve the lives of the people especially the poor & marginalized communities ensuring ‘no one is left out’, he underscored the importance of Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission. Shri Shekhawat mentioned that the community participation and empowerment is the soul of the mission which will lead to its success. Therefore, the States must make all out efforts to involve the local village community in the mission works. 
Shri Shekhawat appealed to all senior officers to give primacy to the quality of works by ensuring regular inspection and taking corrective measures. He assured there will be no dearth of funds from Government of India and extended all assistance to ensure the States become ‘Har Ghar Jal’ in a time-bound and expeditious manner. 

He made a special mention about the difficulties faced in implementation of the 2 schemes in the 6th Schedule areas and called upon everyone for speedy and quality implementation in those areas. He also laid emphasis on the tied grants received by the States under 15th Finance Commission and judicious use of the funds for water and sanitation related activities.
During the occasion, Shri Shekhawat felicitated the State of Sikkim for its achievement as ODF plus State and urged all the other NE states to emulate Sikkim model in sanitation.
During the conclusion Secretary DDWS thanked all the participants for their valuable suggestions and hoped that the State team will work with renewed energy and enthusiasm to ensure every rural household in the Northeast is provided tap water supply