Nainital, Uttarakhand – Despite being a crucial part of the state’s development goals, Nainital district is trailing significantly in the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), a central government initiative aimed at providing every household with tap water. The district currently holds the 12th position among Uttarakhand’s 13 districts, with only 78 villages out of 1,006 certified for the mission.
Nainital’s Struggles in Implementing Jal Jeevan Mission
While Nainital district struggles, Pauri Garhwal, a more geographically challenging region, has excelled, securing the top position in the state. This stark contrast raises concerns about the efficiency of the implementation in Nainital.
As per the latest progress report, Nainital district has managed to provide tap water connections to 99,864 households out of the targeted 1,14,321, achieving 87.35% coverage. In comparison, Pauri Garhwal has nearly completed its target, with 1,10,721 households connected out of 1,10,723, achieving an impressive 99.99% coverage.
Certification Lag: A Major Concern
Nainital’s performance is even more concerning when considering the certification of villages under the JJM. Certification is crucial as it confirms that villages have fully functional tap water systems in every household. Unfortunately, Nainital has only certified 7.75% of its villages, placing it last in the state. In contrast, Dehradun leads with a certification rate of 61.26%, followed by Uttarkashi with 53.40%, and Tehri Garhwal with 43.88%.
Comparative Performance Across Districts
The district’s poor performance is highlighted when compared with other districts:
- Pauri Garhwal: 99.99% connections, 37.47% certified villages.
- Uttarkashi: 99.98% connections, 53.40% certified villages.
- Dehradun: 99.97% connections, 61.26% certified villages.
- Chamoli: 99.94% connections, 14.97% certified villages.
- Tehri Garhwal: 99.83% connections, 43.88% certified villages.
Monitoring and Accountability
The slow progress in Nainital is particularly concerning given the rigorous monitoring by both state and central authorities. The district’s water supply initiatives are overseen by the District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM) committee, chaired by the District Magistrate (DM). The committee includes senior officials from various departments, including health, education, and forest, emphasizing the importance of this mission.
The Panchayati Raj department is responsible for certifying villages, yet the delay in certification indicates potential bottlenecks that need urgent attention. The slow pace of progress has placed Nainital 13th in the state in terms of overall performance in the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Conclusion
Nainital’s underperformance in the Jal Jeevan Mission is a significant issue that demands immediate action. The district administration must address the challenges hindering progress, especially in the certification process, to ensure that every household has access to clean and safe drinking water. The success of the Jal Jeevan Mission is critical not just for improving public health but also for achieving the broader development goals of the region.
Read also :Janmashtami 2024 : Complete Guide to the Date, History, and Rituals for Spiritual Growth
