Photo Courtesy: northeasttoday
Gangtok: Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang formalised a new agreement with the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti in New Delhi this week. The Memorandum of Understanding signifies the state's official participation in Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, an initiative aimed at strengthening water security across the country.
During the ceremony, attended by Union Minister for Jal Shakti C.R. Patil, Tamang highlighted the success of the mission's initial phase. He credited the central government for expanding access to safe drinking water within Sikkim's challenging mountainous landscape. Speaking on the impact of the initiative, Tamang said, "It has improved access to safe drinking water in rural areas, including Sikkim."
The state government now plans to focus on long-term sustainability, source protection, and the ongoing maintenance of water infrastructure. Tamang also requested additional central support to assist with specific retrofitting and capacity expansion projects. He noted that many of these works began under previous guidelines using significant state funding and require further backing to meet current standards.
Senior officials from the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation and the National Jal Jeevan Mission joined the Chief Minister and state representatives at the event. This collaborative effort aims to ensure reliable water services remain a priority for the Himalayan region.
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