JJM not a Government scheme, but people’s movement: Sahu 

KARGIL, JULY 24, 2021: Two day workshop on implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission organized by the Public Health Department (PHE), UT Ladakh in coordination with the National Jal Jeevan Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India kick started at Auditorium Hall Kargil here today.

Chairman and Chief Executive Councilor, LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan, Commissioner/Secretary PHE and I&FC Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Deputy Commissioner and CEO, LAHDC, Kargil Santosh Sukhadeve, Director National Jal Jeevan Mission Pradeep Singh, experts from the Indian Institute of Sustainable Development (IISD), Councilors of the LAHDC Kargil, BDC Chairpersons and BDOs of different blocks, engineers of PHE, representatives of Third Party Inspection Agencies (TPIAs), Implementing Support Agencies (ISAs) were present on the occasion.

Chairman and Chief Executive Councilor LAHDC Kargil, Feroz Ahmad Khan while extending gratitude to the UT Administration Ladakh for organizing the 2 day workshop expressed optimism that it will prove instrumental in enlightening the stakeholders about different aspects of JJM besides the ways and means to deal with the challenges and bottlenecks in its implementation on the ground level.

Highlighting the importance of the role of public representatives and PRI members in smooth implementation of the scheme, Feroz Ahmad Khan said that they need to make concerted efforts to convince the masses to get engaged in this scheme to take its full benefits.

Khan further said that 80 to 90% DPRs have been completed whereas in around 52 village works is going at a good pace besides blocks like Drass and Suru have shown good results. He further suggested that in future similar kind of workshops, training sessions and exposure visits should be conducted for the engineers, BDC Chairpersons and other stakeholders to enlighten them about different schemes.

Commissioner/Secretary PHE and I&FC Ajeet Kumar Sahu while giving the inaugural presentation said that the scheme should be taken as a public movement rather than a government scheme as its success largely depends upon the level of community participation.

Addressing the officials and public representatives, the Secretary PHE asserted that this scheme has to be implemented in mission mode and should be completed by 15 August, 2022 which calls for focused and concerted efforts by all concerned stakeholders. He said that the mission is achievable by August, 2022 considering the small population of Ladakh, adding there is also no dearth of funds.

Briefing about different aspects of the scheme, the Commissioner/Secretary PHE said that the uniqueness of the scheme is its flexibility, holisticness and inclusive approach which brings a collective effort at the community level. He said that efforts need to be done to speed up the works under this scheme and the implementation agency has to redouble their efforts to ensure completion of the targets within the stipulated timelines, besides also ensuring the quality of work. He stressed that the success of JJM lies in its functionality, i.e; supply of desired quantity and quality of water even during the winters and managing the grey-water scientifically.

While mentioning the 100 per cent coverage of FHHTCs in case of Rgyaling and Achambur villages in the Tai Suru Block of Kargil, Commissioner/ Secretary Sahu said that this will inspire other villages and blocks to complete the scheme at the earliest possible.

Stressing on the need for delivering quality water, A K Sahu said that to ensure timely testing and maintain the quality of water, existing labs are being upgraded and new labs are also being established in addition to providing mobile labs which can be a handy concept in testing.

Considering the importance of quality water for the masses, the Commissioner/ Secretary said that water is directly linked to the health of every individual which also leads to the economic prosperity of the person and in general helps in nation building.

Director National Jal Jeevan Mission Pradeep Singh said that there are few villages which have quite done well and before the 15 August of August this year, they can achieve the completion target.

He further said that round the year water supply should be ensured by implementing proper design which will go a long way in making the scheme successful. He said that Pani Samitis at Gram Panchayat will play a key role in planning, implementation, management, operation and maintenance of the scheme in different villages.

Delivering the welcome address, Deputy Commissioner and CEO, LAHDC, Kargil Santosh Sukhadeve welcomed the dignitaries and the participants of the workshop.

Calling it a very important scheme for the masses, Santosh Sukhadeve said that PRI members and public representatives have a huge role to play in the execution and success of this scheme.

Meanwhile, the BDC Chairpersons, BDOs and AEEs concerned of different blocks presented their roadmap to achieve the JJM targets while detailed interactive session was also held with the experts from the Government of India to devise ways and means to remove the hurdles and bottlenecks in the smooth implementation of the scheme on ground.