CM Prem Singh Tamang Participates in Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 MoU Exchange Ceremony in New Delhi

New Delhi : Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang participated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Exchange Ceremony under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 between the Government of Sikkim and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, held in New Delhi on Tuesday. The programme was conducted in the gracious presence of Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri C.R. Patil.

During the ceremony, the Chief Minister expressed his sincere gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Ministry of Jal Shakti for the successful implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission, which has significantly improved access to safe drinking water in rural areas across the country, including Sikkim.

Highlighting the unique geographical challenges faced by the State, Shri Tamang acknowledged the invaluable support extended by the Government of India in developing water supply infrastructure across Sikkim’s mountainous terrain. He reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to the objectives of Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, emphasising the importance of sustainability, source protection, water quality, and long-term maintenance of water supply systems, particularly in a fragile Himalayan State.

The Chief Minister also urged the Ministry of Jal Shakti to consider extending central assistance for retrofitting and capacity augmentation projects that had been approved or initiated before the notification of JJM 2.0 guidelines. He noted that these projects were undertaken in accordance with earlier norms and involved substantial investment by the State with the expectation of central support.

The programme was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Jal Shakti, including the Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, and the Mission Director of the National Jal Jeevan Mission. Also present were the Secretary of the Rural Development Department, Government of Sikkim, along with other officials from the Government of India and the Government of Sikkim.

The MoU exchange marks a significant step towards strengthening water security and ensuring sustainable access to safe drinking water for the people of Sikkim under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0.