Port Blair, March 22: Admiral D K Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), Lt Governor, A&N Islands & Vice-Chairman, Islands Development Agency declared A&N Islands as 100% Functional Household Tap Connection in a befitting function held today at Raj Niwas during the celebration of World Water Day-2021 organized by Andaman PWD. The Islands has attainted 3rd position in achieving 100% water coverage by fulfilling the slogan of the Govt. of India – ‘Har Ghar Jal – Har Ghar Nal’. The Hon’ble Lt Governor also released a book on the use & conservation of water for school children.
On the occasion, the Hon’ble Lt Governor also distributed prizes to all the winners of poster, video and poetry competition conducted by ANSWSM under Jal Jeevan Mission.
The IMIS team of ANSWSM, Port Blair was also awarded with certificate. Shri. Shailander Singh, JE was awarded for uploading and monitoring of the data’s and completing the work on time.
Earlier, welcoming the chief guest and other distinguished guests, the Secretary (PWD), Ms. Veditha Reddy highlighted the achievement of UT under Jal Jeevan Mission, a flagship scheme of Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India being implemented in UT to provide 100% Functional Household Connection to all rural household in the targeted time. She briefed on the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in UT and informed that with the co-operation of public as well as determination of executing Department, a total of 62037 rural households have been covered. It also includes 1661 Below Poverty Line families to whom FHTC has been provided by Department of Rural Development. With these, all 266 villages in 9 Tehsils under 3 Districts has become100% Har Ghar Jal- Har Ghar Nal.
UT of A&N Islands is 3rd among all States and UT to achieve this status. It is further informed that UT has already provided 100% FHTC coverage to all Schools, Anganwadis as well as Sub-Centres and Gram Panchayats under 100 days campaign launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on the occasion of release of ‘margdarshika’ of Jal Jeevan Mission. Further, to ensure sustainability of efforts information education and communication campaign is being organised to highlight the need for public support to ensure safe water to all households through FHTC.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Jitendra Narain detailed about the importance of World Water Day with respect to A&N Islands and informed that with the limited water resources, Administration has taken all steps to conserve water resources in various Islands. He briefed on Administration efforts to encourage household rain water harvesting and informed that sufficient fund has been allocated to ensure that all Govt. buildings are covered with RWH in line with the Ministry guidelines. Similarly, UT success in the JJM has to be sustained in future by taking up various augmentation scheme.
Chief Secretary further added that due to joint efforts of various Departments, the Administration has been able to achieve the target and in the next Jal Sakhti Abhiyan, the intra-Department coordination will be ensured to achieve the goal.
The Secretary (RD), Shri. Sunil Anchipaka proposed the vote of thanks on the occasion.
