Jal Jeevan Mission, a flagship program of the Government of India, aims to provide Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) to every rural household of the country by 2024. The scheme was launched on August 15, 2019. However, at present, only 34% rural households in the entire nation and 39.55% in Nagaland have received tap water under Jal Jeevan Mission-Rural. Even after three years of its launch, the numbers show that 93.55% of the total number of villages in Mokokchung district is yet to achieve 100% FHTC to every household.
As published by this newspaper on February 16 in an exclusive report, so far, only 5 villages in Mokokchung District have 100% Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) under the Jal Jeevan Mission- Rural (JJM-R). As per information shared by an RTI activist, ST Yapang Longkumer, there are 20 villages that has been covered under the Jal Jeevan Mission scheme for a total earmarked amount of Rs.30,39,86,028. Mokokchung Village was allotted Rs.2,29,59,200, the highest in the district under the scheme so far, where the project is ongoing.
According to the details furnished by the Executive Engineer & PIO, PHED Mokokchung, materials worth Rs.18,28,77,292 are to be provided to the 20 villages while Rs.12,11,08,736 is to be provided in cash for the completion of water supply works under the scheme. Meanwhile, ST Yapang Longkumer told Mokokchung Times that the villages can enquire with the department about discrepancies, if any, and that he is also willing to assist the villages if needed.
According to the JJM dashboard maintained by the Water Ministry, there are 129 villages in Mokokchung District, out of which 16 do not have in-village water supply. As reported on February 16 by this newspaper, 56 more villages in Mokokchung district have been proposed to be covered under the scheme.
It may be noted that the Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, in her Union Budget speech (2021-22) announced about Jal Jeevan Mission-Urban (JJM-U) to provide universal coverage of water supply to all households through functional taps in all statutory towns in accordance with Sustainable Development Goal- 6, but the government is yet to start its implementation.
