Centre releases 1,605 crore to 8 North Eastern States under Jal Jeevan Mission

NEW DELHI:

The government of India on Tuesday, May 25, released a grant of Rs. 1,605 crore to eight northeastern states under Jal Jeevan Mission to provide tap water supply to rural homes in the current financial year, said Ministry of Jal Shakti.

This is the first tranche of the four to be released in this financial year. 

During the financial year 2021-22, Rs. 9,262 crore has been allocated as a central grant for the northeastern states under the Jal Jeevan Mission.

The Ministry of Jal Shakti said that the enhanced allocation, as well as the release of funds at this challenging time to provide tap water connections to rural homes in this region, will boost the economy of the region.

Out of the central fund allocated under Jal Jeevan Mission, 93 per cent of the fund is to be utilised on developing water supply infrastructure, five per cent on support activities and two per cent on water quality monitoring and surveillance activities.

There are about 90 lakh rural households in all the northeast states, with a maximum of 63.35 lakh in Assam. 

In the last financial year, about 11 lakh new tap water connections were provided in all these states.

"As of today, 16.27 lakh households (18 per cent) in the region are getting tap water supply in these states in comparison to 3.2 lakh (3 per cent) households in August 2019, when Prime Minister announced the Jal Jeevan Mission," the ministry said.

Arunachal Pradesh received Rs 253.38 crore, Assam Rs 700 crore, Manipur Rs 120.30 crore, Meghalaya Rs 169.60 crore, Mizoram Rs 75.97 crore, Nagaland Rs 111.20 crore, Sikkim Rs 31.20 crore and Tripura Rs 142.91 crore, the ministry informed.
Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2019, this mission aims to provide an assured tap water supply to every rural home by 2024. It is being implemented in partnership with states and union territories.

"Despite challenges faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, over 4.20 crore households have been provided with a tap water supply," a release issued by Public Information Bureau read.

(Edited by Aparmita Das)

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