The Ministry of Jal Shakti has released the first share of Rs 1,184.86 crore to Madhya Pradesh under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), to provide safe drinking water to rural households in the state. The government has allocated Rs 5,116.79 crore to the state. In 2019-20, the centre allocated Rs 571.60 crore, which was increased to Rs 1,280 crore in 2020-21. Madhya Pradesh has 1.23 crore rural homes, out of which 31.1% of houses have a tap water supply. The state plans to provide 22 lakh extra tap water connections by March 2022. It also plans on 3,731 piped water supply (PWS) village in seven districts with an average of 150 household connections in the villages, 'Har Ghar Jal'. In the annual action plan 2021-22, the government has been suggested increasing the speed to provide tap water in about 42% of villages that are without PWS. It has also been suggested to increase the supply in SC/ST minority areas, water quality affected areas, drought-prone areas, PVTG areas, aspirational districts, etc. Madhya Pradesh has begun to focus on the aspects of water quality to ensure the supply of safe drinking water for all. Currently, MP has 155 water testing labs, out of which 32 have been recognised by NABL. In the recent discussion with the state PHED officials, Jal Jeevan Mission advised them to ensure water supply to all schools, and anganwadi centre should be provided tap water connections and PWS for drinking, cooking, washing, and use in bathrooms. The state is working towards water supply in these educational centres to ensure better health and hygiene and improved sanitation. With the allocated amount of Rs 5,116.78 crore, the unspent amount of Rs 191.61 crore, the state will enable the implementation of several activities to provide tap water to every rural household this year. The Jal Jeevan Mission is under implementation in partnership with the state and UTs to ensure tap water connection by 2024 to every rural household in the country. Image SourceAlso read: Jal Jeevan Mission: Govt releases Rs 1,605 cr grant for NE states Also read: Jal Jeevan Mission: Govt releases central grant for 15 states