STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta on Monday stressed on completing all the water supply schemes by August 15 this year. Reviewing on ground implementation of various Water Supply Schemes being implemented under Jal Jeevan Mission in multiple districts through video conferencing, the Chief Secretary reminded officers that the Pani Samitis have to keep check on these works and ensure quality of execution and outcome of all these schemes.
Those who were present on this occasion includes Principal Secretary Jal Shakti, Shaleen Kabra; Secretary Jal Shakti, Deepika Sharma; Chief Engineer, Jal Shakti Jammu, Hamesh Manchanda besides other concerned officers.
Works of different nature including Rapid Sand Filtration Plants, Over Head Water Tanks, laying of Pipeline network etc were inspected by the Chief Secretary. Works from districts of Budgam, Kulgam, Udhampur, Anantnag, Rajouri and Kathua were inspected virtually.
Besides taking the stock of the pace and progress of these works the Chief Secretary asked about material supply, financial status, and even operational training of staff intended to work at these plants.
He advised them that the workforce may be increased for timely completion of JJM works and that financial issues be flagged for timely completion. He called for awareness drives and other IEC activities about the Jal Jeevan Mission.
On the occasion the Chief Secretary spoke to Sarpanchs and received their feedback. The latter expressed satisfaction and confidence that on completion the schemes would help provide quality water supply to all.
The Sarpanchs were also asked about status of overall developmental works carried out in their respective panchayats. Demands and grievances were noted and instructions were passed for immediate redressal for each of the raised demand/grievance.
It was given out during this virtual interaction that out of 18,67,704 Households in J&K 11,05,414 had been provided the Functional Tap Connections. Moreover works are in progress to provide tap connections to remaining 7,62,290 households.
It was further revealed that with due diligence, revision of 113 DPRs has been carried out and the cost of schemes brought down to Rs 1233.40 Cr from 1755.23 Cr. It was informed that the average rate of FHTCs has increased from 10-15 per day to 500-600 per day which is going to touch 1000 FHTCs by the end of this month.
It was also apprised that the award and initiation of works had substantially increased recently and just 19% of critical works remains to be allotted now.
Giving details about various components of this Mission it was said that out of 1259 Dug Wells/Tube Wells, 1008 stand allotted. Moreover out of 556 Over Head Tanks, 399 stand allotted. Similarly 281 Rapid Sand Filtration Plants had been allotted out of 467 such schemes.
As far as the progress of the Mission is concerned it was said that 6778 Pani Samities had been constituted which held around 8947 meetings to monitor the works efficiently. It was further revealed that 8513 persons had been trained for Operation & Maintenance of these water supply schemes.
It was informed that around 18,245 women had been trained for use of field testing kits and 4512 kits provided to the concerned Pani Samities. These steps are contributing to achievement of goals of the Mission.