DC Rakesh directs time-bound completion of JJM, SBM Projects in Kargil

KARGIL: Deputy Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, LAHDC Kargil, Rakesh Kumar, on Tuesday directed officials to ensure the time-bound completion of all pending works under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), expedite the uploading of Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs), strengthen enforcement of the ban on single-use plastic, and fast-track scientific solid waste management, while reviewing the progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission in the district.

Chairing a review meeting in his capacity as Chairman of the District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM), the Deputy Commissioner stressed that pending tasks under both flagship programmes should be completed within the prescribed timelines to ensure uninterrupted delivery of essential services and improved sanitation outcomes.

Reviewing the status of the Jal Jeevan Mission, Rakesh Kumar directed the concerned officers to expedite the uploading of the remaining Functional Household Tap Connections, complete the Har Ghar Jal Certification process, update pending information on the PM Gati Shakti Portal, finalise the Jal Utsav Calendar, and remove implementation bottlenecks without delay.

To address local-level issues, he instructed Assistant Executive Engineers to identify village-wise constraints and coordinate closely with the respective Tehsil Officers for their early resolution. The Superintending Engineer, Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Irrigation & Flood Control (I&FC), and the Executive Engineer, PHE Kargil, were directed to conduct field visits to disputed villages, resolve pending issues on priority, complete unfinished works and ensure that all pending Functional Household Tap Connections are uploaded within timelines fixed by the concerned Junior Engineers.

The Deputy Commissioner also instructed the department to initiate the Jal Arpan programme for the formal transfer of completed water supply schemes to Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs), saying the initiative would promote community ownership and facilitate the sustainable management of rural water supply infrastructure.

Emphasising the need to improve public service delivery, Rakesh Kumar directed officials to ensure the availability of safe drinking water facilities in all schools, health centres and Panchayat Ghars across the district.

Reviewing progress under the Swachh Bharat Mission, the Deputy Commissioner instructed the District Panchayat Officer to strictly enforce the ban on single-use plastic by imposing penalties on violators and intensifying measures against littering. He also directed the department to expedite the operationalisation of the Solid Resource Management Centre (SRMC) at Sodh on the Garkone side to strengthen scientific solid waste management in the district.

The meeting was attended by the Superintending Engineer, PHE & I&FC Kargil, Joint Director and Chief Planning Officer, Executive Engineers of PHE, the District Panchayat Officer, Assistant Executive Engineers, Assistant Engineers, Junior Engineers, the District Team Leader of the Project Management Unit and the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Coordinator.