AMN

The Centre has approved funding of 1,829 crore rupees for the effective implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in Maharashtra for 2020-21. Jal Jeevan Mission is a flagship programme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year.

It aims to provide tap water supply to all rural households by 2024. While presenting its Annual Plan to the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Maharashtra plans to provide tap connections to 31.30 lakh households in 2020-21.

The state has also planned for retrofitting and augmentation of existing 8,268 piped water supply schemes, thereby making provision of 22.35 lakh household tap connections during this year. Out of 1.42 Crore rural households in Maharashtra, 53.11 lakh households have already got tap connections.

A press release issued by the water department informs that the state has an unspent balance of 285 crore rupees. It adds that along with Central allocation and a matching state share, the total fund available will be 3,908 crore rupees.

Further, the 15th Commission has allocated grants worth 5,827 crore rupees that has to be compulsorily spent on supply of drinking water, rainwater harvesting and water recycling besides sanitation and maintenance of ODF status.