Committed to successful completion of JJM, SBM (G): Jacob

State PHED minister Jacob Zhimomi, who attended the review meeting for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) & Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) for North Eastern states at Guwahati on Thursday, assured that Nagaland was fully committed to the successful completion of JJM and SBM(G) in the state.
Speaking at the review meeting, chaired by Union Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Zhimomi, said the meeting would opportunity to share experiences and strategies to complete the implementation of JJM and SBM(G).
PHED minister said that at present out of a total of 3,69,295 rural households in Nagaland, 2,65,928 households (72.01%) have been provided with functional household tap connection (FHTC). He said that Nagaland has planned to saturate and provide water supply to the remaining 1,03,367 households by December 2023. Zhimomi said the State has certified 225 out of 472 Har Ghar Jal reported villages, adding that sertification for the rest was also in the process.
In Kiphire Aspirational/Mission Utkarsh district, he said the state has provided household tap connections to 12,842 (85.67 percent) out of 14,991 total households.
PHED minister also informed that since most of the villages in Nagaland were located at hilltops, far away from water sources, implementation of pipe water supply schemes in such situation and terrain presented many challenges adversely impacting the pace of work.
Zhimomi said that ensuring sustainability of drinking water sources and water supply infrastructures created through JJM was a major concern for a hilly state like Nagaland.
Further, the minister informed that 11 district laboratories have been established across Nagaland and one State Laboratory in Dimapur. During 2023-24, he pointed out that water sample testing in laboratory was conducted as well as by using Field Testing Kit (FTK) numbering 12,127 tests in 1449 villages.
Minister said remedial action was taken for all the 112 samples found contaminated.
In 1472 villages, he said the department trained 7,360 women for water quality surveillance through use of FTK.
In accordance to JJM guidelines, he said the department has empanelled TPIAs (Third party implementing agency) in all the districts, adding that payment was released only after verification and certification by TPIAs. “This has been done to ensure quality of the work implemented,” he said.
Stating that construction of IHHL (Individual Household Latrine) under SBM (G) Phase-II was still being taken up, Zhimomi described the project as “very important” particularly for a tribal state like Nagaland, where new villages are formed from time to time.
He said this year the department completed 1256 out of projected 4,322 IHHL, adding the rest would be done on priority.
Other official from Nagaland included principal secretary E. Mhonbemo Patton, chief engineer Repangyangba Longkumer and chief engineer sanitation & WSSO, T. Sangtam.