Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar today chaired a high level meeting to review the performance of Jal Shakti Department at Civil Secretariat here.During the meeting, the Advisor also assessed the progress on implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission and its revised modalities in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.While reviewing the working of Jal Shakti Department, the Advisor highlighted that the department is entrusted with providing basic need of water to local population which needs constant monitoring.He added that the department also plays vital role in providing irrigation facilities to farming community in order to increase and sustain the agriculture productivity here.Advisor Bhatnagar further said that the mandate of the Department is also to develop policies, executes programmes and practices, which would enable the efficient and effective use of the UT’s water resources in an equitable and sustainable manner with active involvement of all stakeholders.While reviewing the progress on implementation of JJM, Advisor Bhatnagar said that the Jal Shakti Department envisages to provide functional Household tap connection capable of providing quality drinking water by August, 2022 under the Jal Jeevan Mission.The Advisor stressed on concerned officers that quality and quantity both are equally important in the schemes/projects of Jal Jeevan Mission. He also asked the concerned authorities to involve PRIs and other public representatives for smooth implementation of the scheme.The Commissioner Secretary, Jal Shakti Department, M. Raju during the meeting informed the Advisor that under the Mission the coverage has increased from 35% in August, 2019 to 43% ending March, 2020 to 56% till date.The Commissioner Secretary also apprised about the achievements of Jal Shakti Department and said that all rural schools (23160), Rural Anganwadi Centres (24163) and health centres (3324) have been provided tap water connections.Mission Director, Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), Dr Syed Abid Rashid Shah informed the meeting about the status of ongoing works under Jal Jeevan Mission.Regarding the winter preparedness in Kashmir, the Chief Engineer, PHE Kashmir briefed the meeting that a contingent plan of activities for ensuring uninterrupted supply of drinking water during winter, Control rooms have been established, men and machinery including DG sets and water tankers have been kept ready to meet any exigency.The meeting also discussed physical and financial status of Capex Budget of 2021-2022, besides status of NABARD schemes, works taken-up under languishing Projects, work done liabilities under various projects/schemes and expected completion date.Among others, the meeting was attended by Director, Finance, JSD; Chief Engineer, Jal Shakti (PHE) Department Jammu; Chief Engineer, I& FC Jammu; Chief Engineer, RTIC, Jammu; SEs; Xens of Jammu Division attended the meeting at Civil Secretariat Jammu besides, Chief Engineer, JSD Kashmir; Chief Engineer, I&FC Kashmir; SEs; Xens of Kashmir Division attended the meeting through video conferencing from Srinagar.
