TN bags first prize for implementing Jal Jeevan projects

CHENNAI: State municipal administration and water supply KN Nehru accepted an award from President Droupadi Murmu for providing tap water connections to the houses in rural areas under Jal Jeevan Mission in an event held in New Delhi, on Sunday.

According to a government release, Tamil Nadu bagged first prize in the category of the states with less than 60 per cent tap water connection. "Of the total 124.93 lakh households in the rural areas in the state, water connections have been given to 69.14 lakh houses.

During a recent meeting, the chief minister instructed the department to implement water supply projects using local sources for the rural areas if they have sustainable local sources. If the rural areas do not have sustainable local sources, water supply should be given under combined water supply projects, " the release said.

The release added that based on the instruction, works to provide water connections to 55.79 lakh houses under Jal Jeevan Mission. Presently, as many as 42 new water supply projects and upgradation of existing 56 water supply schemes are underway at a cost of Rs. 18,000 under the mission.

"The Tamil Nadu government has requested the central government to give an extension of 2 years to complete Jal Jeevan Mission projects, " the release said.

Meanwhile, KN Nehru met union minister for Jal Sakthi, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and handed over a representation seeking a special funding assistance of Rs. 2,400 Crore, under Jal Jeevan Mission, to construct check dams in five places across Cauvery, Kollidam and Vellar rivers to ensure sustainability of combined water supply projects.

He also requested Rs. 500 Crore to upgrade the existing combined water supply projects with machines to ensure automation. As much as Rs. 700 Crore has been sought to prevent excess water from Cauvery and Kollidam rivers going to the sea by storing the water in nearby lakes and ponds.

Similarly, Tamil Nadu was awarded third place for being the cleanest state and rural development minister KR Periyakaruppan, along with secretary P Amudha, received the award from the President.