The Centre has today released Rs 169.60 crore to Meghalaya for the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission to provide tap water supply to rural homes in the financial year 2021-22.
The amount released is the first tranche of the four to be released in this financial year.
The Centre has allocated Rs 678.39 crore for Meghalaya for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in the financial year 2021-22.
Besides Meghalaya, seven other North East states were also released with different amounts for the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission.
For all the North East states, the Centre has released a total amount of Rs 1,605 crore in the first tranche in this financial year out of the total allocation of Rs 9,261.85 crore.
Out of the Central fund allocated under Jal Jeevan Mission, 93 per cent of the fund is to be utilised on developing water supply infrastructure, 5 per cent on support activities and 2 per cent on water quality monitoring and surveillance activities.
The funds are released by the Government of India based on the output in terms of tap water connections to be provided in the states and the utilisation of available Central funds and matching State’s share.
The states have to transfer Central funds released along with matching State’s share to the single nodal account within 15-days of release of Central funds.
The states have to make provision for matching State share and ensure that there is no shortage of funds to the implementing agencies. Proper expenditure plan prepared so that expenditure is evenly spread throughout the year.
As top priority being accorded by the Central government, the budgetary allocation for Jal Jeevan Mission has increased significantly to Rs 50,011 crore in 2021-22.
In addition to this, the 15th Finance Commission tied-grants of Rs 26,940 crore will be also available to Panchayati Raj institutions for ‘water and sanitation’ services.
Further, funds are also available through matching State’s share and externally aided projects. Thus, in 2021-22, more than Rs 1 lakh crore is planned to be invested in the country on ensuring tap water supply to rural homes.
