Annual Action Plan of JJM 2023-24 approved by Apex Committee

Advisor Narula asks DCs to achieve 100% coverage by 31st July 2023

Interns would be allowed to work under JJM through AICTE intern portal

LEH, February 28: ‘The Union Territory of Ladakh has ranked 1st in Jal Jeevan Sarvekshan in > 50% to 75% coverage category States/UTs in all three months of 3rd quarter of 2022-23 (October 2022 to Dec 22)’. This was informed in the 4th Apex Committee meeting of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) held at the Civil Secretariat, Leh under the Chairmanship of Advisor Ladakh, Umang Narula.

The Apex Committee approved the Annual Action Plan of JJM, aiming to achieve 100% coverage by or before 31st July 2023. In this regard, Advisor Narula urged the Deputy Commissioners to ensure that all schools, AWCs, health facilities, Panchayat Ghars, and other community buildings are covered well in advance.

In addition, Advisor Narula directed that JJM Panchayat Level and Block Level Meetings be organized in all the border villages to further improve the grey water management system to achieve the carbon-neutral Ladakh vision. To ensure the completion of work within the stipulated time frame, the Deputy Commissioners and Director of Rural Development were instructed to monitor the progress of work.

The Commissioner/Secretary, Public Health Engineering Department, Ajeet Kumar Sahu provided a comprehensive presentation to the participants about the implementation of the scheme in the UT. District Leh has achieved 100% Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) coverage in schools and Anganwadi centres, while district Kargil has achieved 93% in schools and 87% in the Anganwadi centres respectively. Sh. Sahu informed the meeting that every water source is tested for chemical and biological contamination at least twice a year, and samples of delivery points are also tested in routine. All reports are uploaded to the online Water Quality Management Information System.

In an effort to promote accountability and efficiency, Sahu informed the committee that all grievances received on the JJM grievance are redressed efficiently. Furthermore, interns would now be allowed to work in JJM through the AICTE intern portal, facilitating engineering students for hands-on training under JJM.

Advisor Narula stressed the importance of ensuring the quality of water being supplied. He was informed that 3 labs in Ladakh would get NABL accreditation in the coming 2 months and by next year there would be 10 labs with the accreditation. Additionally, training would be provided to daily wagers and other staff of PHE in operations and maintenance work such as plumbing, pump operation, and electrical work. A mid-term review of the implementation of the scheme was held in both districts where all departmental officers participated.

Overall, the Apex Committee meeting focused on achieving the target of 100% coverage by or before 31st July 2023, improving the grey water management system, ensuring the quality of water being supplied, and promoting accountability and efficiency.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Principal Secretary Health & Medical Education; Sh. Sanjeev Khirwar, Principal Secretary School Education; Sh. Saugat Biswas, Commissioner/Secretary RDD; Ms. Padma Angmo, Commissioner/ Secretary Social & Tribal Welfare; Director Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, GoI; Deputy Commissioners of Leh and Kargil, Director RD&PR, Superintending Engineer, PHE/I&FC, Leh/Kargil, and officials of PMU, JJM.