Lok Sabha Question No. 1662 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-05
Subject: Implementation of JJM in Garo Hills Region of Meghalaya
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Saleng A Sangma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1662 ANSWERED ON 05.12.2024

## IMPLEMENTATION OF JJM IN GARO HILLS REGION OF MEGHALAYA

## 1662.  SHRI SALENG A SANGMA:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a)   the details of the progress made in the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in the Garo Hills  region  of  Meghalaya  including  the  number  of  households  provided  with  tap  water connections and the expected timeline for completing 100% coverage;
- (b)  whether the Government has faced any challenges in extending JJM to remote and hilly areas in Garo Hills and if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken/being taken to address them;
- (c)   the total funds allocated and utilised in the Garo Hills region under the said Mission during the current year;
- (d)  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  sustainable  water  sources  for  the newly connected households under JJM in Garo Hills; and
- (e)   whether  any  skill  development  programmes  are  being  conducted  to  create  employment opportunities for local residents through JJM projects in the said region and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA)

(a) Government of India in partnership with States, is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) Har Ghar Jal to make provision of tap water supply to every rural household including those in the Garo  Hills  region  of  Meghalaya.  At  the  start  of  Jal  Jeevan  Mission  in  August  2019,  0.01  lakh (0.46%) rural households were reported to have tap water connections in the Garo Hills region. So far,  as  reported  by  the  State  as  on  02.12.2024,  under  Jal  Jeevan  Mission  (JJM)  -  Har  Ghar  Jal, around 2.28 lakh additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections in the region. Thus, as on 02.12.2024, out of 2.78 lakh rural households in the region, around 2.29 lakh (82.71%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes and the remaining 0.49 lakh households are likely to be covered by the State as per its plan.

(b) Water being a State subject, States have been empowered to plan, design, approve, implement and  operate  &  maintain  drinking  water  supply  schemes.  Government  of  India  supplements  the efforts  of  State  Governments  by  providing  financial  and  technical  assistance.  State  of  Meghalaya has  informed  that  transportation  of  materials  due  to  poor  road  connectivity,  poor  network connectivity  for  updating  of  physical  &  financial  progress  and  less  discharge  from  water  sources during the lean periods  are the  challenges being faced in implementation of the Mission in Garo Hills Region. To meet these challenges on priority, the State Government is regularly reviewing the progress apart from convergence for rejuvenation of identified critical water supply sources.

(c)  Under  JJM,  district/  region-wise  fund  allocations  and  details  thereof  are  not  made  and maintained by this department. However,  year-wise details of Central fund allocated, fund drawn and fund utilization reported by the State of Meghalaya is as under:

(Amount in Rs. Crore)

|          | Central         | Central        | Central    | Central        | Central              | Expenditure under State share   |
|----------|-----------------|----------------|------------|----------------|----------------------|---------------------------------|
| Year     | Opening Balance | Fund allocated | Fund drawn | Available Fund | Reported utilization |                                 |
| 2019-20  | 0.80            | 86.02          | 43.01      | 43.81          | 26.35                | 0.77                            |
| 2020-21  | 17.46           | 174.92         | 184.92     | 202.38         | 188.30               | 20.44                           |
| 2021-22  | 14.18           | 678.39         | 1,078.39   | 1,092.57       | 672.05               | 76.55                           |
| 2022-23  | 420.52          | 747.76         | 1,047.00   | 1,467.52       | 1,098.48             | 122.85                          |
| 2023-24  | 369.04          | 3,567.25       | 1,500.00   | 1,869.04       | 1,572.14             | 171.74                          |
| 2024-25* | 296.90          | 653.60         | 196.08     | 492.98         | 440.40               | 51.98                           |

* As on 03.12.2024

ND: Not Drawn

Source: JJM-IMIS

(d)  To  ensure  long  term  sustainability  of  infrastructure  created,  quality  material  and  quality construction  is  being  ensured  through  third  party  inspection  before  making  payment.  Further, provisions  for  taking  up  augmentation  and  strengthening  of  local  drinking  water  sources  in convergence with other schemes viz. MGNREGS, 15th Finance Commission grants to Rural Local Bodies (RLBs)/ Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), State schemes, MP/ MLA-LAD funds, District Mineral Development Fund, CSR funds, community contribution, etc. have also been envisaged under the JJM. Moreover, as informed by the State, critical water sources have been identified for rejuvenation in collaboration with Soil & Water Conservation Department in the State and mass awareness  programmes are also being conducted among village communities to conserve water sources.

(e) Nal  Jal  Mitra  Programme is  being  implemented  across  the  States,  including  Meghalaya,  in collaboration with Ministry of Skill Development  & Entrepreneurship for ensuring  availability of skilled local persons at village level so that they can function as scheme operators and are able to carry  out  minor  repairs  and  maintenance,  including  preventive  maintenance,  of  the  piped  water supply scheme(s) in their village. As informed by the State, so far 2,893 local residents have been trained as plumbers and masons in the State.

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