The Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Rattan Lal Kataria, addressed a webinar organized by BRICS International Forum on 10th April focussed upon the role of BRICS Nation in resolving common problems like lack of access to safe drinking water.
In this discussion, the Minister talked about the Government of India’s ambitious scheme Jal Jeevan Mission that aims to solve the crisis of safe and adequate drinking water.
Citing the example of Cape Town, South Africa, the first major city that ran out of water in the year 2017-18, the Minister highlighted the gravity of the water crisis being faced across the globe today. He mentioned certain countries that are currently facing this issue, including Brazil where around 3 million people still lack access to safe drinking water.
The ongoing pandemic has exacerbated the existential global crisis like hunger poverty and water scarcity. And it is pertinent, now more than ever, to learn from cross-boundary valuable experience to handle the water crisis as 2.2 billion people across the globe struggle to have access to safe drinking water (WHO).
The Jal Shakti Minister termed providing safe drinking water to people as an inescapable duty of any Government and also a Human Right as enshrined in UNGA resolution 64/292.
What is Jal Jeevan Mission?
Emphasising the importance of providing access to assured and safe drinking water to each rural household, Mr Kataria informed that the Government of India has launched Jal Jivan Mission, an ambitious Scheme that intends to cover all rural households with piped water supply by the year 2024.
The scheme was launched In August 2019 with a total outlay of Rs 3.60 lakh Crore (around 48 billion US$).
The Minister stated that “a Scheme of this scale is unprecedented in the history of this Nation and probably in the world.”
In the duration of a year and a half, India has provided over 40 million piped water connections to rural households bringing the country closer to the ambitious target of covering all rural households within the fixed time limit.
Setting a momentous future goal, MoS Jal Shakti iterated that the Jal Jeevan Mission is ushering in a Social revolution since irrespective of caste, colour, creed or religion, every household is getting water at 55 lpcd – following an inclusive approach.
The scheme is reducing the burden of women who used to travel long distances to get water for their families. The Minister informs that village-level committees have been constituted for constituting plans and augmenting water supply for their respective villages. 50% participation has been solely ensured for women in these committees which brings them into the circle of making important decisions linked with water management.
Jal Jeevan mission – a scheme to ensure skill training for rural youth of India
The Mission includes bringing a huge investment in water network infrastructure like pipes, taps, water pumps, storage tanks etc. to create a huge demand for skilled/semi-skilled workforce like pipefitters, plumbers, electricians, pump operators etc.
Terming JJM as a success story, Mos Jal Shakti Kataria stated that India is on its path to set an example and share experience with other developing Nations.
Calling upon the BRICS Nations to brainstorm innovative practices for the water sector both at the Government and the civil organizations level, Mr Kataria emphasized the sensitization of people towards judicious use of water and to develop efficient water management practices across the nation and around the world.
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