Racing to fulfill the obligation of ensuring drinking water of 55 litres per person, Maharashtra Government has launched Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 plus provided additional allocation of Rs 37,549 crore to meet the target by year December 2028. Adhering to guidelines issued by Central Government, the State to has approved the modified draft of Jaljeevan Mission, with focus now shifting to policy decisions, strict adherence to timelines, taking-up assured delivery projects, and ensuring citizen centric goal in mind. At start of the Mission an outlay of Rs 74,548.22 crore was approved wherein Centre was to provide grants of Rs 26,927.83 crore while State was to pitch in with Rs 27,061.71 crore, but now with former cutting down the budget, Maharashtra Government decide to chip in with additional fund of Rs 20,558.68 crore to fulfill the targets set in the programme.

 

Going by the fresh guidelines, the Water Supply Department has agreed to release Rs 17.958 crore for that schemes whose 75 per cent work is completed so far. Similarly in case addition funding in required to complete the last mile then State has given nod for releasing the same. As to additional Rs 20,558 crore funds would be deployed for retrofitting Rs 10079.53 crore, Revised Schemes Rs 8233.23 crore, Internet of Things Rs 692 crore, Electro Chlorination Rs 322.28 crore, National Rural Drinking Water Programme Rs 89.04 crore, Inadmissible Cost Rs 274.88 crore and Survey Rs 763.72 crore. However strict criteria is entailed in utilising this funds as for Retrofitting the project must have achieved 50 per cent progress, whereas in Revised schemes the fund would be released for ongoing schemes those under review are to be put on hold.

 

 

The State Governemnt has made it clear that the sum of Rs 2337.62 crore must be raised from beneficiaries, citizens, or Gram Panchayat has to chip in with their share. In case of default, Rural Development Department is authorised to deduct the due amount from annaul grants and other share of funds. Faced with stiff cut in grants from Central Govement, a policy decision is taken to put on hold the schemes whose progresss is just 25%. These schemes are going to be reviewed through State Water and Cleanliness Mission.

 

 

Given the curtailing of funding by Centre, the State Government has decided to raise it own resources for new drinking water supply schemes in rural areas, one whose work orders are issued at district level but not listed on IMS from 2024-25 onwards and taken-up with National Jal Jeevan Mission. Those schemes that are registered on GSDA portal but whose work order are not yet issued. Also the schemes listed before Jal Jeevan Mission for 14th State level sanction for balance localities.