Northeast Desk, 22nd August: Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Raj Bhushan Choudhary, expressed satisfaction with Meghalaya’s implementation of various central schemes during a review meeting held at the Secretariat in Shillong. The session, attended by C Ymbon, Meghalaya’s Minister of Water Resources, and other senior officials, covered key initiatives including the Jal Jeevan Mission, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, and Swachh Bharat Mission.
Minister Choudhary praised the state’s progress, particularly under the Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to provide safe drinking water to every household. “Meghalaya has already done a great job with the Jal Jeevan Mission implementation,” Choudhary remarked. He emphasized the need to build reservoirs to store and purify rainwater, suggesting this as a solution to the water scarcity issues faced during dry seasons. “Instead of depending solely on streams, reservoirs can be built to store rainwater, purify it, and use it effectively,” he added.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of the Jal Jeevan Mission in improving public health, noting its potential impact across multiple sectors. “It is a big mission of the Government of India to give safe drinking water to each and every house,” Choudhary stated, underscoring the government’s commitment to this initiative.
In addressing the state’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Choudhary stressed the critical role of education, particularly in improving female literacy rates. “Awareness is the most important component for reducing MMR and IMR,” he noted, pointing out that higher female literacy rates are linked to lower mortality rates.
Despite the challenges posed by Meghalaya’s difficult terrain and transportation issues, the Minister commended the state’s dedication and performance in several key indicators. He acknowledged the teamwork and determination demonstrated by the state, reaffirming the central government’s support for ongoing and future development efforts.
Choudhary’s four-day visit to Meghalaya includes a trip to the South West Khasi Hills district, where he will review the implementation of central government schemes and inspect ongoing infrastructure projects in the region.
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