New Projects Under Jal Jeevan Mission

The Ministry of Jal Shakti Ministry has entered a partnership with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the government of Denmark.

The agreement aims to bring tap water connections to 11 water-scarce districts in Uttar Pradesh under the Jal Jeevan mission.

About United Nations Office for Project Services(UNOPS):

• The office was established in 1973 as part of the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP).
• It became an independent, self-financing organization in 1995.
• It is aimed at implementing projects for the United Nations System, international financial institutions and governments.
• UNOPS is a member of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group(UNSDG).
• The headquarters of the United Nations Office for Project Services is located in Copenhagen, Denmark.

About United Nations Sustainable Development Group(UNSDG):

• The United Nations Sustainable Development Group(UNSDG) was established in 1997.
• It was previously known as the United Nations Development Group (UNDG).
• It is a consortium of 36 United Nations funds, programs, specialized agencies, departments and offices playing a role in development.
• The UNSDG was created with the intent to improve the effectiveness of United Nations development activities at the country level.
• Headquarters: New York, United States

Jal Jeevan Mission:

• It aims to provide every rural household with functional household tap connections (FHTCs) with adequate quantity and of prescribed quality of water on a regular and long-term basis by 2024.
• It is being implemented by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Jal Shakti Ministry.

Key Features:

• The mission implements source sustainability measures as mandatory elements, such as recharge and reuse through grey water management, water conservation, rain water harvesting.
• The mission is based on a community approach to water and will include extensive Information, Education and communication as a key component of the mission.
• Water quality testing is one of the priority areas under the mission.
• It also looks to create a jan andolan for water thereby making it everyone’s priority.

About Jal Jeevan Mission(Urban):

• Implemented by Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs.
• The Objective is to provide universal coverage of water supply to all households in all 4,378 statutory towns, through functional taps.
• The duration of the mission is over 5 years.

Features of the Jal Jeevan Mission (URBAN):

• It will rejuvenate the water bodies to facilitate sustainable fresh water supply and the creation of green spaces.
• It will promote a circular economy of water through the development of city water balance plan in each city.
• The plan will focus on recycling/reuse of treated sewage water and water conservation.
• 20% of water demand is to be met by reused water.

Awareness Campaign:

• Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign is proposed. It will spread awareness among the masses about the conservation of water.
• Pey Jal Survekshan will be conducted in cities.
  • It will ascertain the equitable distribution of water, reuse of wastewater, and mapping of water bodies
• Technology Submission is for water is proposed to leverage the latest global technologies in the field of water.
• The mission has mandated that cities having a million-plus population will take up PPP projects.
• These projects shall constitute a minimum of 10% of their total project fund allocation.

Funding:

• For Union Territories, there will be 100% central funding.
• For North Eastern and Hill States, central funding for projects will be 90%.
• Central funding will be 50% for cities with less than 1 lakh population, one-third for cities with 1 lakh to 10 lakh population, and 25% for cities with the million plus population.