63.35 lakh households will get tap-water connections within 2024: Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass

'JAL JEEVAN MISSION' IN ASSAM

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Within 2024, a total of 63.35 lakh households will get piped water across Assam under the 'Jal Jeevan Mission' initiated by the Union Government across the country. The target in September is to cover 2,29,000 households. In the present fiscal (2021-2022), 22 lakh households will be covered. During 2022-2023 fiscal, the PHE will provide 20 lakh connections; and in the final year of the scheme in 2023, the target will be to provide tap water to the remaining 13 lakh households.

Stating this during a press meet here in the PHE office at Hengerabari on Wednesday, PHE (Public Health Engineering) Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass added, "Since the launch of the scheme on August 15, 2019 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, altogether 10.64 lakh households have already got the piped water connection to their houses in the State."

The PHE Minister further said, "After taking charge of the department in May 2021, a total of 4.578 lakh have enjoyed this facility.

"In May, a total of 41, 461 piped water connections were provided followed by 70,124 in June; 1,39,058 in July; and 2,09,319 tap water connections across the State in August 2021. Mentionably, we exceeded the targets set for July and August."

"We have reposed the overall responsibility to run these schemes with the Panchayats. Each block will have a consumer committee to ensure smooth functioning of the schemes. The maintenance costs will be provided as recommended by the 15th FC (Financial Commission)."

The Minister further said that the majority of the various abandoned schemes have been revived under the Mission since 2016. Replying to a query from The Sentinel as to why Assam figures at the bottom of the list of functional household tap connections – which is just 14%, PHE Minister said, "I do agree with your information. However, I do assure that Assam will figure in the top 10 States in this regard."

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