Expedite Jal Jeevan Mission Works In Odisha, Union Min Writes To CM

Bhubaneswar: Taking exception to tardy progress of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Odisha, the Centre on Friday called for expeditious implementation of the programme in the State.

In a letter to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat highlighted the target lapses and insufficient utilisation of funds by the State.

Shekhawat said against the target of 15.61 lakh, only 4.37 lakh (27.97 per cent) households were provided tap connections in the State in 2019-20. This resulted in the low utilization of fund for which Odisha was allocated ₹364.74 crore in 2019-20, out of which the State could utilise ₹275.02 crore.

Requesting the CM to review the planning and implementation strategy for water supply schemes, the Union minister said in order to take the mission forward in a seamless way, the fund allocation to Odisha has been increased from ₹364.74 crore to ₹ 812.15 crore in 2020-21.

Along with the unspent balance of ₹90 crore, this year Central allocation of ₹812 crore and with the matching State share, Odisha will have ₹1,805 crore for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in 2020-21. The Minister was hopeful that the State will provide State matching share along with the Central fund on timely basis to implementing department for this programme, which will help to achieve the target of 100 per cent tap water connection in rural areas.