Shimla, March 21: The Himachal Pradesh government has signed an agreement with the central government to enhance rural drinking water services. This memorandum of understanding was formalized in New Delhi as part of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 initiative.
The event saw the participation of Chief Minister Sukhu, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, and Union Minister of Jal Shakti C.R. Patil, who joined virtually. Abhishek Jain, Secretary of the Water Power Department, represented the state, while Swati Nayak, Joint Secretary of the Government of India, signed the agreement on behalf of the central government.
JJM 2.0 is set to be implemented by December 2028, with an increased budget and a revamped framework focusing on infrastructural improvements in the rural drinking water supply sector.
Currently, priority is being given to all Single Village Schemes (SVS), including those for which states and union territories have already incurred upfront costs.
Chief Minister Sukhu emphasized that Himachal Pradesh’s geographical conditions are quite challenging. He noted that comparisons with other states should be avoided, as the cost of construction in hilly areas is significantly higher.
He insisted that regulations applicable in other states should not be imposed on Himachal Pradesh. The state government is actively promoting the management and distribution of water supply schemes through Panchayati Raj institutions.
Sukhu also urged the central government to release the outstanding amount of ₹1,227 crores under JJM. He mentioned that work on several projects has been completed, but payments have not yet been disbursed.
The Chief Minister reiterated the state government’s commitment to providing clean drinking water to every household and working towards adopting advanced and modern technologies for water purification.
With the increased budget, the aim of expanding the Jal Jeevan Mission by December 2028 is to reorganize and restructure the program, emphasizing assured service delivery.
The initiative will focus on efficiency, water quality, sustainability of water sources, and community ownership, establishing JJM 2.0 as a robust and sustainable national model for rural drinking water services.
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