Union Government Launched Swajal Scheme in 115 Aspirational Districts of India

Union Government Launched Swajal Scheme in 115 Aspirational Districts of India- Details, Features, Aim, Purpose

Union Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation has launched Swajal Scheme in 115 Aspirational districts of India to provide clean drinking water.

The Swajal Scheme will involve an outlay of Rs. 700 crores through flexible-funds under existing National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) budget.

The Union Government had selected 115 backward (aspirational) districts for rapid transformation by 2022 in line with Government’s vision to create ‘New India’.

NITI Aayog had selected these districts on six socio-economic parameters, pertaining to health and nutrition, education, financial inclusion and skill development, agriculture and water resources and basic infrastructure. Under this initiative, Government focuses closely on improving people’s ability to participate fully in the burgeoning economy.

These 115 backward districts include 35 districts affected by Left Wing Extremists (LWE) violence, 55 districts just affected by LWE and another 15 including districts in Jammu and Kashmir and northeast affected by terrorism.

About Swajal Scheme

Swajal is community owned drinking water scheme or programme for sustained drinking water supply. Under it, 90% of project cost is taken care by the Government and remaining 10% is contributed by the beneficiary community.

The operations and management of the Swajal project are taken care by the local villagers. Under this scheme, government aims to provide villages with piped water supply powered by harnessing solar energy. Moreover, hundreds of rural technicians will be trained under this scheme for operation and maintenance of Swajal units.