New Delhi: With a focus to expedite the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in Maharashtra, the Government of India released 1,666.64 crore to the State. Central fund of ₹7,064.41 crore has been allocated to the State for 2021-22 for the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission, which is nearly four times the allocation for 2020-21.
There are 142.36 lakh rural households in the State, out of which 96.46 lakh households (67.76%) have tap water connection. In 2021-22, the State plans to provide tap water connections to 27.45 lakh households. Maharashtra aims to become ‘Har Ghar Jal’ (water in every house) state by 2024.
Further in 2021-22, Rs 2,584 crore is allocated to Maharashtra as 15th Finance Commission grant for water and sanitation to Rural Local Bodies/ Panchayati Raj Institutions and there is an assured funding of Rs 13,628 crore for the next five years i.e. up to 2025-26 to the rural local bodies.
As on date, 72,032 schools (84%) and 73, 377 (80%) Angan Wadi Centres (AWCs) have been provided with tap water supply, while 72,032 schools (84%) and 73,377 (80%) AWCs have been provided with tap water supply in Maharashtra.
Besides, with focus on public health, 177 water quality testing laboratories have been set up in the state. (In the country more than 2,000 water quality testing laboratories have been opened to general public so that they can get their water samples tested whenever they so desire at a nominal cost).
It may be mentioned that the budgetary allocation for Jal Jeevan Mission was increased to Rs. 92,309 crore in 2021-22, from Rs. 23,022 crore in the preceding year.
At the start of the mission in 2019, out of a total of 19.20 Crore rural households in the country, only 3.23 Crore (17%) had tap water supply. Despite challenges faced due to COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, over 5.38 Crore (28%) households have been provided with tap water supply since the launch of the mission, the Ministry of Jal Shakti, stated here today. Presently, 8.61 Crore (45%) rural households receive potable water through household taps. Goa, Telangana, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Puducherry and Haryana have become ‘Har Ghar Jal’ State/ Union Territory, which means 100% coverage of tap connections in rural households.
– global bihari bureau
