Rope in MPs: Jal Shakti Ministry advisory to states

Ravi S Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 30

A day after President Ram Nath Kovind’s appreciation of the progress of Centre’s efforts to provide piped water to every household under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), the Union Jal Shakti Ministry on issued advisory to states to rope in the MPs for their active support in making the scheme a “people’s movement”, and help achieve its goal.

Kovind had lauded the JJM implementation in his address to joint sitting of Parliament.

The advisory elaborates, among others, the key role the MPs can play in community mobilisation for JJM.

The JJM is being implemented by the Union Jal Shakti Ministry in partnership with states to provide functional tap water connection to every rural home by 2024.

The policy parameters relating to JJM provides for role of MPs/elected representatives to enable their participation to make the mission – “Har Ghar Jal” a ‘Jan Andolan’.

The MPs are already nominated as Co-Chairperson of the District Level District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) concerned of the Rural Development Ministry.

They are involved in District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM), which include review of progress of JJM in districts, and promotion of community engagement and participation.

Their inputs/suggestions would be considered while finalizing the District Action Plan (DAP) for 100 per cent coverage for provision of drinking water in all rural households of the districts in their constituencies.

Further, before declaring any district as ‘Har Ghar Jal’ district, i.e. districts with tap water supply in every rural home, MPs whose constituencies are part of the district would be consulted so that ‘no one is left out’.

JJM is a decentralised, demand-driven and community-managed programme.

The Gram Panchayats and user groups, among others, play a key role in planning, implementation, management, operation and maintenance of in-village water supply systems.

“Efforts are being made to involve local community to make water everyone’s business,” the Ministry said.

Every village has to prepare a 5-year Village Action Plan (VAP) co-terminus with 15th Finance Commission by dovetailing all resources available under various schemes/ programmes in the village including  MGNREGS, 15th FC grants for PRIs, JJM, SBM(G), MP/ MLA Local Area Development Funds.

These VAPs have components which include strengthening of local drinking water sources and in-village water supply infrastructure to provide tap water connections to every home and public institutions.