The Chhattisgarh government has prepared a plan and will work on a mission mode to ensure water connection in every house in rural areas through the ‘Har Ghar Nal’ by 2024, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said on Tuesday.
He was interacting with Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the Union Minister of Jal Shakti through videoconferencing on the implementation of ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’.
Baghel said the state and central governments will work together to complete the project within the time frame. The Union Minister promised all possible assurance.
State Agriculture and Water Resources Minister Ravindra Choubey, Public Health Engineering Minister Guru Rudra Kumar and senior officials were present at the interaction.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on August 15, 2019 announced the ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ to ensure pure drinking water in the rural areas by 2024. The aim is to provide 55 litres per person every day through pipeline.
The Chief Minister suggested that the central government's contribution in the scheme be hiked from 50% to 75%.
Chhattisgarh is the ninth biggest state in the country. It is tribal dominated and several villages in Bastar and Surguja are spread over several kilometres. To ensure water supply to them, the expenditure will be higher. In tribal areas, there are no major water bodies.
The Chief Minister highlighted the state’s flagship programme of ‘Narva, Gharuva, Ghurva and Baari’ (NGGB) under which 30,000 streams will be revived. Work in 1,100 streams has commenced.
Minister Ravindra Choubey sought sanction for the Bodhghat irrigation project and a resolution to the Odisha-Chhattisgarh water issue.