New Delhi, Jun 2: The Annual Action Plan of Arunachal Pradesh to provide 100% tap connections to all the households in state by March 2023 under National Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has received approval from the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti.
With this approval, the state will receive Rs 255 cr in 2020-21 and out of the total 2.18 lakh rural households, the current target is to provide 77,000 tap connections in 2020-21 with priority to cover households in aspirational districts, quality-affected habitations, Sansad Adarsh Gramin Yojna villages etc. As a part of the JJM, states are given additional funds in the form of performance grants based on achievements in tangible outputs i.e. household tap connections provided and corresponding financial progress achieved.
Arunachal aims to supply potable water to every rural household and the concept of ‘low-hanging fruits’ i.e. covering the still left out villages/habitations in addition to the ones already connected within least possible time with priority to weaker sections of society is being pursued. Keeping in view the persisting Covid-19 pandemic, the state has been advised by the Union Ministry to expedite water supply works in villages which will help in practicing the social distancing norm and will also help local people in getting employment. As a part of it, a roadmap has been prepared for effective implementation of the Village Action Plan (VAP) which will give thrust on active participation of the rural communities through decentralisation of responsibilities in planning, implementation, management, operation and maintenance of water supply systems to ensure long-term sustainability. Skilling activities are also planned so that unemployed village youths could be trained in plumbing, masonry, fitting, electricity etc. for ensuring availability of a steady pool of trained personnel locally.
It needs mentioning that the Centre aims to strengthen the existing drinking water sources of the states for long-term sustainability of water supply systems through convergence and judicious utilization of fund under village level schemes like MGNREGS, SBM (G), 15th FC Grants to PRIs, District Mineral Development Fund, CAMPA, Local Area Development Fund etc. Arunachal has been allocated Rs. 231 crore under 15th Finance Commission Grants during 2020-21, 50% of which has to be mandatorily utilised on water and sanitation infra works. 
Jal Jeevan Mission which is being implemented in partnership with the states has the objective to provide functional household tap connections to every rural household of the country by 2024 with an assured availability of 55 litres per capita per day (lpcd) on regular and long-term basis.  PIB Itanagar 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
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