Govt committed to provide basic facilities to citizens: Chief Secretary

Jammu, Sep 20: Jal Shakti Department Monday organised a one day workshop on implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) at convention centre Jammu.
Mission Director JJM, J&K, Dr Syed Abid Rashid Shah highlighted the broad contours of this workshop.
Chief Secretary, while speaking on the occasion, stressed the need for working in a total transparent and accountable manner so the goals set under the Mission are accomplished in full. He added that it is firm commitment of the government to extend every basic facility to the people of J&K and launching of Jal Jeevan Mission is a step forward in this direction. He said that efforts are afoot to extend facility of tap water to every household by August 15, 2022.
He expressed hope that this workshop will supplement efforts of all stakeholders towards successful implementation of this ambitious mission envisaging a noble mission.
Chief Secretary asked the Engineers to work hard to achieve the set targets besides ensuring formulation of pragmatic and comprehensive DPRs for achieving optimum outcome under different projects. He stressed that all ground level workers like JEs, AEs, AEEs and others have to understand the scheme in all respects for better implementation of water supply schemes with 100 percent quality work and maintenance by the Panchayats.
Dr Mehta also directed the concerned officers to plan a well knit strategy for effective implementation of JJM in Jammu and Kashmir with focus on a single village scheme.
During the workshop, Mission Director, National Jal Jeevan Mission, Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, Bharat Lal, apprised the participants of the vision and way forward on implementation of this ambitious mission. He informed that Gram Panchayats, Village Water and Sanitation and Pani Samities have to play a key role in planning, implementation, management, operation and maintenance (O&M) of in-village water supply system to ensure use of locally available water source and dovetailing of resources. Besides, every village to have a Village Action Plan (VAP) for 5 years with 4 components including drinking water source strengthening; drinking water supply; grey water treatment and its reuse besides operation and maintenance (O&M).
Pertinently, all the Village action plans of Jammu and Kashmir have been prepared by JJM.
Meanwhile, Director National Jal Jeevan Mission, Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, Pardeep Singh, gave a detailed presentation on implementation of JJM in J&K, Digital Governance in JJM and service delivery. He informed that vision of JJM is to ensure assured tap water supply to every household.
Pertinently, GPs and, VWSCs and Pani Samities have to function as ‘water utility’ to ensure tap water supply to every rural household, collect water service charges, O&M, minor repairs and related issues.
Singh further informed that the dashboard at village level would monitor water supply on regular basis in terms of quantity, quality and regularity along with public grievances redressal mechanism. Besides, domestic potable water quality testing devices and Field Testing Kits (FTKs) would be provided so that people are able to test water quality at their home.
Deputy Advisor (PHE) NJJM, A Murlidharan, while speaking on the occasion, presented a Powerpoint Presentation on planning and implementation for assured potable water supply to every rural household.
Dr Vivek Chauhan and Manish Wasuja from UNICEF also spoke on the topic of WQMS framework to assure tap water quality and WASH services besides public service.
Dr Apporva Oza spoke on decentralised planning, community mobilisation and preparation of village action plan.
Additional MD JJM J&K, Haris Ahmed Handoo, presented concluding remarks on the occasion. An interaction session was also held during the workshop.