The union government released Rs 120 crore of central grant to Manipur to expedite the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in the state.
A central fund of Rs 481 crore has been allocated to Manipur for 2021-22 to implement JJM. This funding is nearly four times the fund allocation made during 2020-21.
Manipur plans to make provision of tap water supply to every rural household of the state by September 2022. As of date, out of 4.51 lakh rural households in the state, 2.67 lakh (59.2 per cent) households have tap water connections.
Since the announcement of the Jal Jeevan Mission in 2019, about 2.41 lakh (53.46 per cent) households have been provided with the tap water supply. In 2021-22, the state plans to connect tap water to 2.26 lakh rural households.
“The Union Government is ensuring that there is no paucity of funds for provision of water supply to rural homes. This huge investment in rural areas of Manipur will accelerate economic activities and boost the rural economy. It will create income generation opportunities in villages,” the Ministry of Jal Shakti said.
At the start of JJM in August 2019, out of 18.93 crore rural households in the country, only 3.23 crore (17 per cent) households had a tap water supply. Despite challenges faced due to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns, over 5.39 crore (28 per cent) households have been provided with a tap water supply since the mission’s launch.
Presently, 8.63 crore (45 per cent) rural households receive potable water through household taps. According to the ministry, every household in 83 Districts and more than 1.27 lakh villages is currently receiving the tap water supply.