GUWAHATI: On the occasion of the 76th Republic Day, Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Governor of Assam, highlighted the state’s progress under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), a flagship initiative aimed at providing safe and potable drinking water to every rural household. Speaking at the ceremonial event, the Governor commended Assam’s achievement of over 58 lakh Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs), covering nearly 80% of rural households in the state.
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Governor Acharya also underscored the mission’s impact on public institutions, stating, “More than 95% of schools and 90% of Anganwadis in rural areas now have access to running water facilities through functional tap connections. This is a testament to Assam’s commitment to community-led water management and Jan Bhagidari (public participation).”
Since the launch of the Jal Jeevan Mission, Assam has successfully completed over 16,000 piped water supply schemes, providing potable water to millions of rural residents. These projects have been handed over to local communities for operation and maintenance, reflecting the government’s focus on decentralised and inclusive water resource management.
However, despite the significant progress, the state is struggling with funding shortages, which have hindered the completion of the remaining projects. An ongoing audit is being conducted to inspect the quality of work completed so far, raising concerns over pending bills and discrepancies in payments to contractors involved in the initiative.
The ongoing audit, initiated by the state government, aims to evaluate the implementation and quality of the Jal Jeevan Mission projects across Assam. Preliminary findings have pointed to variations in the execution of some schemes, leading to a delay in the release of funds.
A key feature of the Jal Jeevan Mission in Assam has been its emphasis on empowering local communities. Once the piped water supply schemes are completed, they are handed over to village-level committees for daily operation and maintenance. This decentralised approach ensures accountability and encourages community participation in managing vital resources.
However, the operationalisation of the remaining schemes has been hampered by the ongoing financial challenges. With limited funds available, the pace of new installations has slowed, prompting the state government to seek additional financial assistance from the Centre.
The Jal Jeevan Mission has undoubtedly transformed the lives of rural residents in Assam, addressing long-standing challenges of water scarcity and health issues caused by unsafe drinking water. While the achievements so far are commendable, the state must overcome its financial and operational hurdles to ensure that every household in Assam benefits from the initiative.
The completion of the audit and the timely release of pending payments to contractors will be crucial in maintaining the momentum of the mission. As the state celebrates its progress, the focus must remain on bridging the remaining gaps and sustaining the success of this community-led programme.
As Governor Acharya aptly noted during his Republic Day address, the Jal Jeevan Mission symbolises the collective effort of the government and the people, showcasing Assam’s dedication to achieving sustainable development and improved quality of life for its citizens.