Leh, March 11: Advisor Ladakh, Umang Narula chaired the 2nd Apex Committee meeting on Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) at the UT Secretariat. The objective of the Jal Jeevan Mission is to provide piped drinking water to all rural households by 2024.

The issues highlighted during the meeting included the physical progress of coverage of functional household tap connections (FHTCs) against the given target, the 100-day campaign for providing FHTCs to Schools and Anganwadi Centres, improving quality of water, preparation of IEC, skill development and the grey water management plans etc.

The officials informed Advisor Narula about the current status of FHTCs, the year-wise action plan, and targets to be completed in four phases by 2022-23. 

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The officials apprised Advisor Narula of 7.59 per cent coverage of FHTCs in Ladakh. It was also mentioned in the meeting that the average connection of FHTC in Ladakh is 4.18 per day, including 1.8 in Leh and 2.35 in Kargil.  It was informed that the water-testing laboratories of the PHE department are open for the public where they can test water samples at a nominal rate. 

Advisor Narula underlined the need for ensuring the participation of public representatives, Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members and the public during the implementation of the JJM scheme at all levels. Exhorting the officials to expedite the ongoing work, he underlined the necessity of achieving the given target at the earliest. It was decided in the meeting that a stakeholder workshop would soon be organised where experts will also visit Ladakh.

Commissioner Secretary PHE/I&FC Ladakh; Administrative Secretary, Rural Development & PR Department; Administrative Secretary, Information Department; Deputy Commissioner Leh/Kargil; Chief Engineer, PHE, Ladakh; Superintending Engineer, PHE/I&FC, Leh/ Kargil, Deputy Secretary, PHE/I&FC; Business Development WAPCOS/Project Manager, WAPCOS, Ladakh and Director, Jal Shakti attended the meeting.