Maharashtra seeks more funds under Jal Jeevan Mission support for river-linking

Mumbai, May 27 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said the Centre responded positively to the state's demands for additional funds under the Jal Jeevan Mission and support for intra-state river-linking projects at a review meeting in Delhi.
Around 51,000 ongoing projects in the state were reviewed at the meeting chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil and attended by Fadnavis, deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, state Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Water Supply Minister Gulabrao Patil and senior officials.
The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is a flagship initiative of the Union government to provide tap water to every rural household.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, Fadnavis said the Centre responded positively to the state's demands.
"We reviewed the entire Jal Jeevan Mission programme. We have completed all the required compliances and demanded additional funds," he said.

The state government would focus on certification of villages, gram panchayats, talukas and districts where drinking water projects have been completed, Fadnavis added.

The state raised certain implementation-related difficulties, the chief minister said, adding that there was a positive discussion on these issues.
On water conservation, he said the Centre stressed giving greater importance to conservation works under the "Jaltara" scheme, particularly by increasing water stream-related structures.

"We informed that we have already started work in this direction through the Jalyukt Shivar scheme. By converging the schemes, we will definitely complete this work," Fadnavis said.
Maharashtra had placed proposals related to river-linking projects, and the Centre assured that they will be considered positively after the Central Water Commission (CWC) gives its nod, he said.
Union Minister Patil informed that the Prime Minister had directed that intra-state river-linking projects should be prioritised over inter-state projects as the latter often face delays due to lack of consensus among states, Fadnavis said.

"Our projects have now reached the CWC. After the required clearances, discussions will be held with the Centre regarding the funding pattern," he added.
On allegations of corruption in the Jal Jeevan Mission, Fadnavis said funds for some projects had been withheld due to complaints and deficiencies in implementation.

"The state government and the Central government together reviewed nearly 90 per cent of the schemes. Deficiencies were identified and in some places where there were issues related to water sources, steps are being taken to strengthen them," he said.
Deputy CM Shinde told reporters that discussions were also held on resolving issues related to drying water sources in certain regions.


Special emphasis was laid on river-linking projects in drought-prone regions such as Marathwada, he said.


Speaking about the 'Jaltara' water conservation initiative, Shinde said a memorandum of understanding has been signed with an organisation founded by spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for the initiative, which is being implemented under the guidance of Dr Purushottam.


He said around 65,000 Jaltara structures have already been built across the state, but the initiative needed to be expanded further to improve groundwater levels and increase water percolation.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)