Latest news with #HarGharJal
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Jal Jeevan Mission transformsfortune of rural B'khand: Study
Lucknow: The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) transformed Bundelkhand's fortune, as shown by a study carried out by Bundelkhand University in 70 villages across seven districts. The study found a significant improvement in villagers' standard of living, social mindset, health conditions, education, employment and overall economic well-being. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now For instance, the study showed 95% of respondents saying better health helped them save on healthcare costs. Likewise, the study found that 92% of surveyed youth preferred staying in their villages due to these new opportunities. Around 93% of respondents acknowledged a reduction in dowry-related cases due to the strengthening of the rural social fabric. The survey captured insights from women, youth, ASHA and Anganwadi workers, teachers and students and assessed five key dimensions of impact: health improvement, educational outcomes, economic development, social change and harmony and employment generation. It reveals that access to clean drinking water under the Har Ghar Jal scheme significantly improved public health in rural Bundelkhand. Villagers experienced a marked decline in water-borne diseases, improved digestion and fewer stomach-related ailments. The availability of clean water also provided mental peace, resulting in increased work efficiency. Maternal mortality saw a notable reduction, with pregnant and lactating women reporting better health. Additionally, the burden of fetching water from distant sources—previously a cause of neck and back pain—eased. Contaminated water earlier led to bone weakening, which has now diminished. The JJM also impacted education. As all schools in the surveyed villages were fully integrated with the scheme, there was a notable rise in school enrolment, particularly among girls and a significant reduction in dropout rates, the study showed. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Schools now have clean water, which led to enhanced hygiene and sanitation. Water is now stored in school tanks and used effectively. Improved toilet facilities, made possible by the scheme, further encouraged female students to attend school regularly, the study shows. The survey further highlights how the availability of safe drinking water shifted rural living standards and reduced social discrimination. Women now actively participate in agriculture, animal husbandry and other income-generating activities. The construction of toilets and reliable water supply enhanced women's dignity and safety. The scheme also created employment opportunities for women. The report noted a substantial decline in caste-based discrimination, with improved access to water fostering unity and cooperative behaviour within communities. There was also a rise in demand for work under MGNREGA, and youth increasingly stayed back to pursue livelihood opportunities in agriculture, dairy, poultry, fish farming, mobile services, and retail.
Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Jal Shakti schemes: MPs meet today to discuss issues, concerns
Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil has invited around 60 Lok Sabha members to hold an informal interaction Thursday on the points and concerns they had raised during a discussion on his Ministry's Demand for Grants for financial year 2025-26. The meeting, which will be held at the Parliament House Annexe building, is likely to see members discussing issues related to different schemes of the Ministry including the Jal Jeevan Mission and Namami Gange. The meeting comes at a time when the Centre has decided to send 100 teams of Central Nodal Officers (CNO) for ground inspection of Jal Jeevan Mission schemes across the country amid concerns over irregularities in several states. A source said the Ministry has written to around 60 Lok Sabha members, inviting them to attend the interaction. These MPs, representing almost all political parties in Parliament, had taken part in the discussion on the Ministry's Demand for Grants 2025-26, the source said. In that discussion in March, several MPs had raised the issue of alleged irregularities and corruption in implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission. Participating in the discussion on March 19, NCP (Sharad Pawar) member Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke said, 'Har Ghar Jal is also a very important scheme of our Prime Minister. A target of providing 55 litre water to every household has been set under this scheme. Around 830 schemes have been sanctioned in my constituency and 972 villages have been covered under this scheme. Officials claimed that out of 830, works of 230 schemes have been completed. But the ground reality is different and not even 50 schemes have been completed yet… a lot of corruption cases came to light and local villagers have sent me written complaints about it.' 'These complaints are about the tendering process, quality of work and payment of bills, and corruption is quite visible at first sight. Works have been awarded to ineligible contractors. Bills have been generated for incomplete works. To lay pipes, it is necessary to dig at least 4-5 feet, but pipes have been fitted at the depth of 1 feet only. I have got photos and videos of these corrupt activities. I have sent a pen-drive and photocopies to the Hon'ble Minister too,' said Lanke, who represents Ahmednagar in Maharashtra. An Expenditure Secretary-led panel had recommended a 46 per cent cut in the Jal Shakti Ministry's demand of Central funding of Rs 2.79 lakh crore for four years ending December 2028, amid concerns about some states approving inflated work contracts to provide tap water connections to rural households under the Jal Jeevan Mission. Since the launch of the Mission in 2019, 6.4 lakh water supply schemes with a total estimated cost of Rs 8.29 lakh crore – more than double the scheme's original outlay of Rs 3.60 lakh crore (Centre: Rs 2.08 lakh crore, States:1.52 lakh crore) – have been approved by the states. To meet the additional requirement of funds, the Jal Shakti Ministry had approached the Expenditure Finance Committee, headed by the Expenditure Secretary, for approval of Rs 2.79 lakh crore additional Central funding over and above Rs 2.08 lakh crore. However, the EFC recommended only Rs 1.51 lakh crore as the Central share, 46 per cent lower than the amount sought by the Ministry. On May 21, The Indian Express reported that an investigation of the data uploaded by states and UTs on the Jal Jeevan Mission dashboard showed that a crucial change in tender guidelines three years ago lifted the check on expenditure, and led to cost escalations. This resulted in additional costs totalling Rs 16,839 crore for 14,586 schemes, an increase of 14.58 per cent from their estimated cost. Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister's Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Jal Shakti Minister to tour Bundelkhand, Vindhya for Jal Jeevan Mission ground audit
Swatantra Dev Singh (File Photo ANI) NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh jal shakti minister Swatantra Dev Singh will soon visit villages across Bundelkhand and Vindhya to assess the on-ground progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission , with a focus on verifying whether the 'Har Ghar Jal' (tap water to every home) target has been met in these drought-prone regions. The decision was taken during a high-level review meeting on Tuesday, where it was resolved that the inspection will be conducted in phases, beginning with nine districts. Singh will directly interact with residents and collect feedback on the implementation of the scheme, especially in areas that historically faced severe drinking water shortages before 2017. During the meeting, Singh instructed officials to draw up a comprehensive visit plan and provide a district-wise list of villages where 'Har Ghar Jal' has been achieved. Emphasising strict accountability, he warned that any negligence or irregularities by implementing agencies would lead to severe consequences. 'Strict action, including jail for those responsible,' will follow if lapses are found, he said, adding that third-party inspections will be carried out and daily progress reports submitted to the government. The meeting was also attended by minister of state for Jal Shakti Ramkesh Nishad, additional chief secretary of Namami Gange and Rural Water Supply Anurag Srivastava, and senior officials from the department. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Meanwhile, Srivastava flagged delays in the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission projects in Mirzapur. He directed officials to probe the performance of two implementing agencies, Ramki Baba and Megha and take appropriate action if discrepancies emerge. ADMs and Executive Engineers have been tasked with intensified block-level monitoring to speed up water supply projects .
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Jal Shakti minister to visit Bundelkhand, Vindhya villages for ground reality check on ‘Har Ghar Jal' progress
Uttar Pradesh's Jal Shakti Minister, Swatantra Dev Singh, is set to visit villages in the Bundelkhand and Vindhya regions to assess the on-ground progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in the state. The initiative aims to provide a real-time evaluation of the 'Har Ghar Jal' implementation and gather direct feedback from locals, particularly in regions that faced severe drinking water shortages before 2017. The minister's visits will be conducted in phases, with nine districts included in the first phase of the evaluation. The inspection will also involve a detailed assessment of ground realities. During a high-level review meeting held on Tuesday, Singh instructed officials to prepare a district-wise list of villages where tap water connections have become a reality and to chart out a plan for his upcoming field visits. In a stern message during the meeting, Singh warned that agencies showing negligence would face strict action, including jail time for those found guilty of irregularities. To ensure transparency and accountability, third-party inspections will be conducted, and daily reports will be submitted to the government. The review meeting was attended by Minister of State for Jal Shakti Ramkesh Nishad, Additional Chief Secretary of Namami Gange and Rural Water Supply Department Anurag Srivastava, and other senior officials. Expressing concerns over the slow pace of Jal Jeevan Mission work in Mirzapur, Srivastava directed officials to investigate implementing agencies Ramki Baba and Megha, and initiate action if discrepancies are found. He also directed ADMs and Executive Engineers to conduct regular block-level monitoring to ensure timely and effective execution of water supply projects.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
UP Jal Shakti minister to check water projects
Lucknow: Amid reports of laxity in work and discrepancies in implementation of 'Har Ghar Jal' scheme, jal shakti minister Swatantra Dev Singh will visit villages in Bundelkhand and Vindhya regions for ground level fact-check and to evaluate progress of Jal Jeevan Mission . During a review of the scheme on Tuesday, additional chief secretary Anurag Srivastava had expressed concern over reports of progress of the project in Mirzapur. He told officials to probe implementing agencies Ramki Baba and Megha and initiate necessary action if discrepancies were found and also directed ADMs and executive engineers to conduct regular block-level monitoring to ensure efficient execution of water supply initiatives. tnn The inspection will be conducted in phases, with nine districts included in first phase. Singh will speak to locals to gather feedback on tap water connections. In Tuesday's meeting, Singh directed officials to formulate plan for his visit and provide district-wise list of villages where 'Har Ghar Jal' scheme had been implemented. The minister also issued stern warning to agencies lax in their work, stating that any irregularities would result in strict action, including jail for those responsible. To maintain accountability, third-party inspections will be conducted, with daily reports submitted to govt.
