Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu became the first Union Territory to get the ‘Har Ghar Jal’ status.
New Delhi: While Goa has become the country’s first ‘Har Ghar Jal’ certified state, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu became the first Union Territory to get the status. Now, the people of these places have access to clean water through taps, said the Ministry of Jal Shakti on Thursday.
In Goa, 2.63 lakh rural households 85,156 of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu have access to potable water through tap connection, said officials.
The Jal Jeevan Mission is a flagship programme of the Centre which was announced from the ramparts of the Red Fort Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2019. A statement by the ministry said, “The mission aims to make provision of potable tap water supply in adequate quantity, of prescribed quality and on regular and long-term basis to every rural household of the country by 2024. The programme is implemented by the Government of India in partnership with the states and UTs.”
Despite Covid-19, the panchayat representatives, paani samitis, District and State or UT officials of Goa and D&NH and D&D led to the achievement. “All schools, anganwadi centres, public institutions including Gram Panchayat buildings, healthcare centres, community centres, ashramshalas, and other government offices have now access to potable water through tap connection,” the ministry added.
Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSC) or paani samiti have been constituted in all the 378 villages of Goa and 96 villages of D&NH and D&D. VWSC is responsible for operation, maintenance and repair of water supply infrastructure developed under ‘Har Ghar Jal’ programme.
The ministry said, “This sub-committee of Gram Panchayat also has the responsibility to collect user charge which will be deposited in the bank account and shall be used to pay honorarium of the pump operator and carry out minor repair work from time-to-time.”
