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Himachal Signs Jal Jeevan 2.0 Pact, CM Seeks Rs 1,227 Cr Pending Funds

The Government of India and Himachal Pradesh have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, which will run until December 2028 with a restructured framework. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, attending virtually, emphasized the state's unique geographical challenges and higher construction costs, arguing it should not be compared to other states. He urged the Union Government to release pending funds of Rs 1,227 crore for completed schemes under the mission. The state is committed to providing clean drinking water to every household and promoting water scheme management through local institutions.

Key Points: Himachal Pradesh Signs MoU for Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0

  • MoU signed for Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0
  • Focus on rural drinking water reforms
  • CM highlights higher costs in hilly state
  • Urges release of Rs 1,227 crore pending funds
  • Aims for clean water in every household
2 min read

Himachal Pradesh signs MoU for Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 with centre

Himachal Pradesh signs MoU for Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 with Centre, focusing on rural water supply reforms. CM Sukhu urges release of Rs 1,227 crore pending funds.

"norms applicable to other states should not be imposed on Himachal Pradesh - Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu"

Shimla, March 20

A Memorandum of Understanding for Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 was signed between the Government of India and the Government of Himachal Pradesh in New Delhi today. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri joined the event virtually from Shimla, while Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil also attended the event virtually.

On behalf of the State, Secretary Jal Shakti Vibhag Abhishek Jain was present, while Joint Secretary Swati Nayak signed the MoU on behalf of the Government of India. JJM 2.0 will be implemented up to December 2028 with an enhanced outlay and restructured framework, focusing on structural reforms in the rural drinking water supply sector. At present, priority is being given to all single village schemes (SVS), including those for which States and Union Territories have already incurred advance expenditure.

On the occasion, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the geographical conditions of Himachal Pradesh were challenging and should not be compared with other states, as the cost of construction in hilly areas was significantly higher. He emphasised that norms applicable to other states should not be imposed on Himachal Pradesh. He added that the state government was actively promoting the management and distribution of water supply schemes through Panchayati Raj Institutions.

CM Sukhu also urged the Union Government to release the pending amount of Rs. 1,227 crore under JJM, stating that work on several schemes has already been completed, but payments are yet to be released. He said that the state government is committed to providing clean drinking water to every household and is working towards adopting advanced and modern technologies for water purification.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The CM is right about the higher costs in hilly areas. One-size-fits-all policies from the centre often don't work for states with unique geography like Himachal. Glad they are pushing for this recognition.
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Vikram M
Rs. 1227 crore pending? That's a huge amount. If work is already completed, the centre should release the funds without delay. States shouldn't have to beg for their rightful dues. Accountability is key.
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Priya S
Involving Panchayats is a smart move. Local governance bodies understand the ground realities of water sources and distribution far better than distant bureaucracies. Hope this model succeeds!
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Rohit P
While the mission's goal is noble, I hope there is strict monitoring for the use of advanced purification tech. We've seen many projects fail due to poor maintenance. Sustainability is as important as installation.
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Michael C
Good to see a long-term plan till 2028. Water security is critical for hill states facing climate change. Hope the "restructured framework" brings real efficiency and doesn't just remain on paper.

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