Bhubaneswar, March 24 The Odisha government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Union Ministry of Water Resources on Tuesday to implement the Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, providing for tap water connections in all houses in the state.
The agreement was signed in New Delhi, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi virtually attending the event from the Lok Seva Bhavan here. Union Minister for Water Resources, C R Patil, and Minister of State, B Somanna, were also present at the event in the national capital.
Majhi said that 77.3 per cent of families in the country have already received tap water connections, and the extension of this mission until 2028 is a significant step towards achieving the goal of "Har Ghar Jal" (Water for every home).
He said that Odisha has prepared a roadmap for the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0.
The CM said that the IDs of around 5,000 rural piped water schemes have been prepared through the "Sujalam Bharat" platform, and the financial coordination of all the schemes has been completed.
The Odisha government spends about 40 per cent of funds on the Jal Jeevan Mission, he said, adding that citizen-centric services have been strengthened through the "Vasudha" helpline, WhatsApp services, and digital grievance platforms.
A CMO release said that public participation has increased through the Village Water & Sanitation Committee (VWSC), with the "Jal Arpan Diwas" being celebrated in 25 out of the 30 districts.
Majhi said that the Jal Jeevan Mission has brought a big change in the lives of women, as they no longer have to travel long distances to fetch water.
The "Jal Shakti Abhiyan" under the mission has taken the form of a mass movement in Odisha, he asserted.
Under the "Jal Shakti Abhiyan", 2.21 lakh water conservation and rainwater harvesting structures, and more than 43,000 water bodies have been restored, while over 2 lakh watershed works have been completed, the release said.
