The State is struggling to meet the water connection targets for 2021-22 under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), the Centrally assisted rural water supply initiative.
With just two months left in the fiscal, the State is nowhere near achieving the objective of 29.38 lakh functional household tap connections (FHTCs). A recent assessment by the Kerala Water Authority (KWA), which is leading the implementation in the State, has revealed that only 5.56 lakh connections have been issued till January 20, 2022.
A senior KWA official blamed COVID-19 for the slow pace. Noting that urgent action is needed if all rural households are to be provided connections by 2024, the KWA has issued orders appointing 'charge officers' to monitor the progress of the drive at the divisional level. The officers also include senior staff of the KWA such as the technical member and chief engineers.
