Under the leadership of Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari, a comprehensive review meeting was held on Wednesday to assess the current status of the Jal Jeevan Mission in Jharkhand. The meeting aimed to address operational challenges and accelerate the implementation of the ambitious initiative that promises tap water to every rural household.
During the virtual meeting, all Deputy Commissioners were directed to show leadership in executing the mission efficiently. The Chief Secretary urged them to actively coordinate the work, hold regular reviews, and engage with local mukhiya (village heads) to gain ground-level insights. These interactions, she emphasized, should inform actionable feedback.
Citing concerns about incomplete work being paid in full, Tiwari directed that such cases be treated with utmost seriousness. Proper inquiries must be initiated, and strict actions ensured where discrepancies are found.
Two Dedicated Engineers Per District for Technical Oversight
To strengthen on-ground implementation, two committed engineers will be appointed in each district under the jurisdiction of the Deputy Commissioner. A dedicated technical cell will be created, and the engineers will be given daily assignments, with regular reporting mechanisms to monitor performance. Deputy Commissioners have also been instructed to personally inspect Jal Jeevan Mission sites during field visits and address any issues on the spot.
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Under the scheme, executing agencies are contractually bound to maintain the infrastructure for five years. Delays in resolving even minor issues will not be tolerated. Agencies failing in their maintenance duties will be reported, and headquarters will expedite resolution. Administrative hurdles must be addressed at the district level under the leadership of the Deputy Commissioners.
Additionally, incomplete projects must be pushed to completion, and finished schemes handed over to the local gram committees without delay.
Goal: Tap Water in All Rural Homes by 2028
Launched on August 15, 2019, the Jal Jeevan Mission aims to ensure tap water supply to every rural household, school, and Anganwadi centre by December 2028. So far, 97,535 schemes have been taken up in Jharkhand, out of which 56,332 are completed. Around 24,781 schemes have already been handed over to village committees, with handovers for the remaining schemes in progress.
Jharkhand has a total of 29,398 villages. Of these, 6,963 have been fully connected with tap water supply. Out of the state’s 62,54,059 rural households, 34,42,332 are currently receiving piped water directly through taps.
