'Har Ghar Jal' pledge gains momentum, Jal Shakti ministry signs MoU with Arunachal and Jharkhand govts
New Delhi, June 2
Stepping up its resolve to deepen piped water supply to households across the country, the Jal Shakti Ministry inked two MoUs with two state governments - Arunachal Pradesh and Jharkhand on Tuesday.
The agreement will facilitate collaboration between the Centre and the respective state governments in strengthening and holistically developing drinking water services in these regions.
The MoU signed between Jal Shakti's Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) and the Arunachal government is seen as a revolutionary step towards ensuring safe, reliable, and sustainable drinking water services for citizens residing in the remote and tribal regions of the North-Eastern state.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, present along with senior government officials, said, "Prime Minister Modi's Har Ghar Jal campaign has brought about a significant, positive, and dignified transformation in the rural life of the state, particularly in the lives of our mothers and sisters.
"The deal will strengthen infrastructure, empower women, and fulfill the resolve of 'Water Security through public participation' and will help people living in remote hilly regions get relief from daily struggle for water," he added.
Another MoU signed between the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Jharkhand government is expected to spur a systemic overhaul of piped water supply in various backward and tribal belts of the state.
The occasion saw the presence of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Union MoS for Jal Shakti V Somanna, and several senior officials from the Central and state governments.
The agreement is expected to be a game-changer for ensuring safe, reliable, and sustainable drinking water services across the rural and tribal regions of Jharkhand.
Many dignitaries present on this occasion emphasized that the partnership will not be limited to merely laying pipelines, but will be a monumental campaign to improve the living standards of residents in remote villages of the state, protect the vulnerable population from waterborne diseases, and liberate women from the daily struggle to fetch water.
Notably, the Jal Jeevan Mission has transformed the face of rural India over the past 7 years. It has ensured tap water supply to more than 15 crore families, a landmark achievement in the past 12 years of the Modi government.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone from a village near Ranchi, I can tell you water scarcity is a daily nightmare. If this mission really reaches our remote areas, it will change lives. But implementation on ground is key—hope it's not just paperwork.
Good initiative but let's not forget the maintenance angle. Pipes in hilly areas of Arunachal need constant upkeep. Will the state governments allocate funds for that? Har Ghar Jal is a great slogan but needs sustainable planning.
The part about liberating women from fetching water really touched me. My grandmother used to walk 2 km daily for water. If this reaches even 50% of villages, it'll be a game-changer for our mothers and sisters. 🇮🇳
Impressive scale - 15 crore families with tap water in 7 years is no joke. But as an outsider looking in, I wonder about water quality testing in these remote areas. Is there a plan for that?
Pema Khandu is right—this is transformative. I've been to Tawang, and water scarcity there is real. Hope the MoU doesn't get stuck in bureaucratic delays like many central schemes in NE states. Action needed, not just signatures!
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.