Centre mounts a 100-days campaign to provide piped water under Jal Jeevan Mission

Ravi S Singh
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, October 2

Marking the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Centre on Friday mounted a 100-days campaign to provide piped potable water connections to all schools and Anganwadi Centres in the country.

The campaign was launched by Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at a function relating to "Swachh Bharat Diwas" observed in memory of Mahatma Gandhi.

The campaign is under the aegis of the Union government's ambitious welfare scheme, Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).

JJM, implemented by Jal Shakti Ministry through its National Jal Jeevan Mission, aims to provide every rural household with piped potable water supply by 2024.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for the 100-days special campaign at a program on Tuesday, saying that ensuring safe water to children is a priority, as they are the most vulnerable to water-borne diseases.

A Jal Shakti Ministry functionary said 15 lakh schools and about 14 lakh Anganwadi Centres in rural-India have been identified regarding the campaign.

To this effect, the National Jal Jeevan Mission has reached out to States and UTs to prepare a roadmap.

In the coming days, Gram Sabhas will adopt resolutions for providing safe water in all schools, Anganwadi centres and other public institutions in the village during the campaign period.

These facilities will be operated and maintained by the Gram Panchayats and Village Water and their Sanitation Committees.

As "nodal department", Public Health Engineering Department of States will spearhead the campaign by involving Gram Panchayats along with other departments including Education, Women & Child Welfare, Panchayati Raj & Rural Development, Tribal Welfare.