Chief Minister Pema Khandu of Arunachal Pradesh has reaffirmed his commitment to achieving cent percent implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in the state by 2023, a year ahead of the national target. During a review meeting held earlier today, Khandu recognized the significant progress made by the Public Health Engineering & Water Supply department, the nodal agency responsible for implementing JJM in the state. He also expressed his gratitude towards the Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs), Implementation Support Agencies (ISA), Block Resource Coordinators (BRC), lab technicians, and Jal Sathis for their tireless efforts in successfully implementing the mission.
In an effort to motivate others and ensure the success of the “har ghar jal” (water to every household) initiative, Khandu presented awards to the deserving individuals and organizations involved in the JJM and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBM) programs. He emphasized that the recognition they received would inspire others to work dedicatedly at all levels, transforming the dream of universal access to clean water into a reality.
The Jal Jeevan Mission was launched in 2019 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the aim of providing safe and adequate drinking water to every rural household in India by 2024. The mission adopts a community-oriented approach to water management, incorporating source sustainability measures like grey water management, water conservation, and rainwater harvesting. Khandu highlighted the importance of these elements and stressed the need for their implementation to ensure long-term water security.
During the review meeting, the Chief Minister took stock of the current status of the JJM and SBM programs in Arunachal Pradesh. He assured government support to expedite the coverage of villages that are yet to benefit from these initiatives. Additionally, Khandu directed the officials from the Public Health Engineering & Water Supply department to promptly convene a meeting with the Planning, Health, and Education departments to devise strategies for the saturation of the Jal Jeevan Mission, particularly in health centers, schools, and anganwadi centers.
To further strengthen the implementation of in-village water supply systems, Khandu, along with Rural Development Minister Bamang Felix, PHE&WS Minister Wangki Lowang, and Advisor to PHE&WS Lokam Tassar, unveiled a Handbook for the operation and maintenance of such systems by the community. The handbook will serve as a valuable resource to ensure the sustainable management of water supply infrastructure at the grassroots level.
Furthermore, Chief Minister Khandu inaugurated an awareness video on the Arunachal Pradesh Protection of Drinking Water Catchment Areas Act during the meeting. This initiative aims to educate the public on the importance of protecting the catchment areas to maintain the quality and availability of drinking water sources.
The Chief Minister unwavering determination to achieve the complete implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission in Arunachal Pradesh by 2023 demonstrates his commitment to improving the lives of the state’s rural population. Through the recognition of outstanding contributions and the provision of government support, Khandu aims to motivate and empower the village-level agencies and agents who play a pivotal role in the success of these crucial initiatives. With a focused approach and concerted efforts, Arunachal Pradesh is poised to realize its vision of providing safe and sustainable drinking water to all its residents.