35% of the government. schools, anganwadis have no tap water

 What is the News?

Over a third of government schools and anganwadis still do not have tap water access even 10 months after the Jal Jeevan Mission(JJM) launched a 100-day campaign.

Centre’s 100-day Special Campaign:

• On 2nd October 2020, the Ministry of Jal Shakti had launched the 100-day Special Campaign under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
• The campaign aims to achieve 100% coverage and provide potable piped water supply for drinking and cooking purposes as well as tap water for hand washing and in toilets in every school, anganwadi and ashramshala or residential tribal school.
  • At the time, about 40% of schools and anganwadis already had tap water access.

What has been achieved so far?

• Around 66% of schools & 60% Anganwadi centers across the nation have got the FHTC [Functional Household Tap Connections].

Drawbacks of the Campaign:

• The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources has pointed out the slow rate of progress of the campaign.
• Over a third of government schools and anganwadis still do not have tap water access, even 10 months after the launch of a 100-day campaign.
• Moreover, there is a wide disparity among States. Nine states and Union Territories have already achieved 100% coverage.
• On the other hand, Jharkhand and West Bengal have less than 15% of schools and less than 10% of anganwadis have tap water access. In Uttar Pradesh, 80% of the schools have access to tap water.

Government’s Response:

• The government of India has said that some States/ UTs have asked for more time to complete the task. Due to this, the campaign has been extended till March 31, 2021.
• Moreover, progress has been made in the campaign despite the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown.