In 25 Months, Jal Jeevan Mission Provides Tap Water Connections To Over Five Crore Families

Since 25 months after the announcement of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in August 2019, over five crore families have been provided with tap water connections in their homes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Jal Jeevan Mission on 15 August 2019 to provide Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) to every home by 2024.

In 2019, out of about 18.93 crore households in rural areas, only 3.23 crore (17 per cent) had tap water connections.

Thus, 15.70 crore households are to be provided with tap water by 2024. In addition, the functionality of all existing water supply systems and tap connections is also to be ensured.

The programme directly benefits more than 19 crore rural families, bridging the rural-urban divide and improving public health. As of date, about 8.26 crore (43 per cent) rural households have a tap water supply in their homes.

“Despite Covid-19 pandemic, its subsequent lockdowns and challenges, the government worked relentlessly to ensure assured tap water supply to rural homes,” the Ministry of Jal Shakti said.

“Assured tap water supply in homes relieves people, especially women and young girls, from fetching water, carrying heavy loads at a distance, etc. thus, reducing their age-old drudgery. The newfound time is being used for income generation activities, learning new skills, supporting children’s education, etc,” it added.

Also, with a focus on the health and well-being of children, last year on Gandhi Jayanti, a campaign was launched to provide tap water connections to all schools, Anganwadi centres and ashram shalas (tribal residential schools) for drinking, cooking mid-day meals, hand washing and use in toilets.

Currently, tap water supply has been provided in 7.72 lakh (76 per cent) schools and 7.48 lakh (67.5 per cent) Anganwadi centres.

Decentralised Approach With Pani Samitis

Following a bottom-up approach, JJM is being implemented as a decentralised, demand-driven and community-managed programme.

Under it, Gram Panchayats or its subcommittees, i.e. Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSC), also called Pani Samitis, play a crucial role in planning, implementation, management, operation, and maintenance of in-village water supply systems.

The Pani Samitis or VWSCs consists of 10 to 15 members with at least 50 per cent women members and proportionate representation from weaker sections.

VWSC prepares a one-time Village Action Plan (VAP) co-terminus with the 15th Finance Commission period by dovetailing different resources at the village level, which is to be approved in a Gram Sabha.

VAP comprises four key components:

• Drinking water source augmentation

• Drinking water supply system

• Greywater treatment and its reuse

• Regular operation and maintenance of in-village water supply system

Further, a cadre of 30-40 members in every village is being trained and skilled to build their capacities to manage their in-village water supply systems.

Five women from every village, viz. ASHA, Anganwadi teachers, SHG leaders, etc., are being trained to test water quality using Field Test Kits (FTKs).

Also, five to ten members are trained as plumbers, masons, motor mechanics, fitters, etc., in every village to address any requirement besides increasing employment opportunities.