Jal Jeevan Samvad-February-2021-en

Jal Jeevan Samvad – February 2021 (Year 2021, Issue 5) presents the progress, initiatives, experiences and developments under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) with a particular emphasis on building partnerships and changing the lives of people in rural India. The issue highlights the significant expansion of Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) under JJM. The progress section presents comparative FHTC coverage as of 27 February 2021, with data sourced from JJM-IMIS. A major theme is the increased public investment in rural drinking-water supply under the Union Budget 2021-22. The Mission Director's message highlights the enhanced allocation for Jal Jeevan Mission and the convergence of State contributions and 15th Finance Commission grants for rural water supply and sanitation. The issue also discusses the large-scale infrastructure, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities created by the Mission. The publication gives considerable attention to water quality and technology, including sensor-based Internet of Things (IoT) solutions for monitoring the quantity, quality and regularity of water supply, portable water-quality testing devices and strengthening of water-testing laboratories. Another important focus is the relationship between safe drinking water and public health. The issue discusses the role of JJM in addressing water-related health concerns, including Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in affected areas, and the provision of Functional Household Tap Connections as a priority intervention. The issue also highlights the role of women and village communities in planning, implementation, management, operation and maintenance of rural water-supply systems. It describes opportunities for women to participate in traditionally male-dominated technical occupations such as masonry, plumbing, pump operation and water-quality testing, while also highlighting employment opportunities for rural youth. Further, the publication addresses source sustainability and aquifer mapping, community institutions such as Village Water & Sanitation Committees/Paani Samitis, water conservation, water-quality surveillance and decentralized planning. It also includes field-based case studies and experiences demonstrating the practical impact of tap-water supply on rural communities.