Shillong, March 27: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the State of Meghalaya and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India under the flagship programme was signed on Friday in New Delhi for Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0.
The event was graced by C. R. Patil, Union Minister; Conrad K. Sangma, Chief Minister, Meghalaya who attended online, V. Somanna, Minister of State; Shri. Ashok K. K. Meena, Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation; K. K. Soan, Additional Secretary & Mission Director, NJJM along with other officials from the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India.
From the Government of Meghalaya, the event was represented by . Marcuise N. Minister, PHE Department; Pravin Bakshi, Commissioner & Secretary, PHE-cum-Mission Director, JJM, Meghalaya; R.S Nongbri, Chief Engineer, PHE, Meghalaya as witness and D. Shabong, Superintending Engineer, PHE, Meghalaya. D. D. Umdor, Chief Engineer, PHE Urban (Water Supply and Sewerage), Meghalaya and K. Khonglah, Additional Chief Engineer, PHE Meghalaya also attended the event online.
Sangma thanked the Central Government, under the esteemed leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Union Minister, Ministry of Jal Shakti, for its support, and appreciated the state’s progress in household water coverage from the lowest to 83% at present. He also urged continued support under the Jal Jeevan Mission to ensure water for all, including balanced households.
This MoU signifies a renewed commitment and strengthened partnership between the Centre and the State for the effective implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0. The mission aims to provide Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) to every rural household, ensuring access to safe, adequate, and sustainable drinking water.
The agreement lays down a clear framework outlining the roles, responsibilities, and collaborative efforts required from both the Central and State Governments to achieve the mission’s objectives within the stipulated timeline. It further emphasizes on policy, institutional and governance reforms, assets ownership, planning, financing and programme implementation, digital systems, data governance and monitoring, skilling of manpower, water quality surveillance, source sustainability, adherence to guidelines, communication and public confidence. The agreement also highlights the importance of avoiding cost and time overrun, mid-term evaluation of commitments, and establishing mechanisms for disputes resolution that may arise.
The signing of this MoU is expected to enhance coordination, improve service delivery, and accelerate progress towards achieving the vision of “Har Ghar Jal” in Meghalaya with timely and adequate flow of funds from the Central Government to the State, thereby strengthening implementation and ensuring a better quality of life for rural communities across the State.
As the MoU under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 was successfully signed, the Ministry is actively resolving issues faced by the State and has been highly cooperative. The state is also in the process of submitting its fund requirement in the revised format as prescribed.
