PM Modi releases Operational Guidelines for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : PM Narendra Modi on December 25, 2019, released the Operational Guidelines of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) at a function organised at Vigyan Bhawan, which is observed as Good Governance, here. The Operational Guidelines will help various functionaries involved in the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission.

The event was also graced by the Defence Minister, Minister for Jal Shakti, Minister of State Jal Shakti. Officials from various departments, farmers from different states, representatives of UN agencies, NGOs/ trusts, and various stakeholders working in the water sector attended the function.

The Union Cabinet had on August 13, 2019, approved Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to provide Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) to every rural household by 2024. As per the information available, out of 17.87 crore rural households in the country, about 14.6 crore which accounts for 81.67% are yet to have household water tap connections.  The total project cost is estimated to be about Rs 3.60 lakh crore. The Central share will be Rs.2.08 lakh crore. The fund sharing pattern to be 90:10 for Himalayan and North-Eastern States; 50:50 for other States and 100% for UTs, according to a PIB release.

Broad contours of the JJM was circulated to all the States/ UTs giving details of the Mission and expected actions from States/ UTs.The Operational Guidelines was also put up on the portal of Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation for feedback/ comments from citizens.

The salient features of the guidelines are : Time bound completion of schemes taken up under National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) has been proposed by providing FHTC to every rural household. No extension of time or cost escalation will be allowed except for the cost towards retrofitting the same to provide FHTCs and Priority to cover water quality affected habitations under JJM.

For the implementation of JJM, following institutional arrangement has been proposed : National Jal Jeevan Mission at the Central level; State Water and Sanitation Mission (SWSM) at State level;  District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM) at district level; and Gram Panchayat and/ or its sub-committees i.e. Village Water Sanitation Committee (VWSC)/ Paani Samiti at village Level;  Extra budgetary resources will be made available for JJM and is proposed to be allocated along with Gross Budgetary Support among States/ UTs as per the allocation criteria.