SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has received appreciation from the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs for the progress made in expanding rural drinking water coverage under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
In its 260th Report, the committee acknowledged the Union Territory’s efforts in extending drinking water access to rural households and commended the UT Administration for pursuing the objectives of the flagship mission.
While recognising the progress, the committee stressed the need to sustain the pace of implementation and recommended adequate and timely financial support for the early completion of the remaining JJM schemes.
The panel emphasised the need to provide Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) to all remaining uncovered rural households. It also called for the upgrading of older water supply systems, strengthening of water quality monitoring mechanisms and completion of the Har Ghar Jal certification process.
The committee further recommended that water supply schemes should focus on source augmentation, long-term sustainability and climate resilience to ensure reliable and uninterrupted access to safe drinking water.
The recommendations are particularly significant for Jammu and Kashmir, where diverse geographical and climatic conditions pose challenges to water supply infrastructure and make source sustainability, resilient systems and effective water quality monitoring essential.
The Parliamentary Committee’s observations recognise the progress achieved by Jammu and Kashmir under the Jal Jeevan Mission while also identifying priorities for completing the remaining works and consolidating the gains made so far.
The focus will remain on completing ongoing schemes, covering the remaining eligible rural households, strengthening existing infrastructure and developing sustainable and climate-resilient water supply systems across the Union Territory.
The committee’s appreciation also provides recognition of Jammu and Kashmir’s efforts towards the broader objective of ensuring safe, reliable and sustainable drinking water for every rural household under the Har Ghar Jal initiative.
