JJM: State lauded for exemplary performance

Nagaland has been lauded for exemplary performance in potability parameter of functionality of tap water connections in rural areas under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) among States and Union Territories (UTs) having less than 60% tap connection coverage, at the Swachh Bharat Diwas 2022.
The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) under the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti organised the programme in commemoration of the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, observed as Swachh Bharat Diwas.
According to dy. director & PRO Nagaland House Delhi, Kuolie Mere, Nagaland was also awarded under various categories- third position in Wall Painting Competition on Open Defecation Free (ODF) plus Biodegradable Waste Management in North East Zone and second positions in Wall Painting Competition on ODF plus Plastic Waste Management in North East Zone, Wall Painting Competition on ODF plus Greywater Management in North East Zone and Wall Painting Competition on ODF plus Faecal Sludge Waste Management in North East Zone.
The awards were given away during a daylong a function held at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi on Sunday in connection with Swachh Bharat Diwas.
President of India Droupadi Murmu presided over the function as chief guest in presence of Union Minister of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti & Food Processing Industry Prahlad Singh Patel and Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Tribal Affairs Bishweswar Tudu. DDWS implements two flagship programmes of the Central government– Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) and Jal Jeevan Mission.
During the event, the President was presented with Swachh Survekshan Grameen’s (SSG) 2022 report by the Union Jal Shakti Minister. The report gives details of the ranking, field survey, assessment and citizens’ perceptions
Based on the findings of SSG 2022 and JJM Functionality Assessment Report, implementation and progress of the two missions of the department, best performing States, UTs and districts were felicitated on the occasion.
The event also witnessed release of a report on Functionality Assessment FY 2021-22.
The report is based on third-party survey carried out by the department to assess the number of working tap connections, regularity and prescribed quality of water supplied.
The event also witnessed launch of Jal Jeevan Survekshan 2023. The survekshan will talk about the functionality of tap water connections in all ‘Har Ghar Jal’ villages. It is a means to ensure that the objective of JJM is achieved, i.e., adequate amount of potable water is regularly reaching every household in the village.
Nagaland was represented by Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) principal secretary E Mhonbemo Patton, PHED Kiphire executive engineer Akokba Sair and State co-ordinator SBM (G) Ichirang Zeliang.