14.91 lakh rural households in J&K have tap water connections: LG

Srinagar, May 15: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Wednesday said that 14.91 lakh rural households in J&K now had access to tap water connection.

Reviewing the progress of schemes and projects of the Jal Shakti Department, the LG directed the officials to complete the works to ensure every household has access to clean drinking water through a tap.

“Our efforts to provide tap water supply to all our citizens are on the right track. We are creating a future-ready water management system. Access to safe and adequate drinking water to every citizen is my commitment and we are taking effective action to ensure water security in J&K,” he said.

Stressing that the government was ensuring water security in J&K, LG Sinha said he was committed to providing safe and adequate drinking water and sanitation to every citizen of J&K.

He appraised the district-wise achievements registered under the Jal Jeevan Mission.

The LG impressed upon the officials to maintain transparency and accountability in the execution of works and to make concentrated efforts to meet the target within specified timelines.

He took stock of the IEC activities and dedicated measures undertaken by the department for community mobilisation and capacity building of human resources regarding Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance.

LG Sinha also reviewed the action plan for summer and directed effective measures to meet the water demand.

He was briefed on the progress achieved under the Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) in J&K.

The meeting also discussed the working of Pani Samitis and the interventions required to address the issues in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission.

Progress under centrally-sponsored schemes, Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) projects and various other key projects, works under Amarnath Yatra, J&K-specific action plan  for the water sector, and governance initiatives of the Jal Shakti Department were also discussed during the meeting.

Advisor to LG, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar; Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo; Financial Commissioner, Jal Shakti Department, Shaleen Kabra; Principal Secretary, Finance Department, Santosh D Vaidya; Principal Secretary to LG, Mandeep Kumar Bhandari and Mission Director, Jal Jeevan Mission J&K, Ghulam Nabi Itoo also attended the meeting.