Like ODF drive eradicated open defecation, FHTC to push tap water connection

NEW DELHI: If it was ODF (open defecation free), the term that caught attention of the world under Swachh Bharat Mission during 2014-19, in Modi 2.0, the focus will be on another catchy abbreviation – FHTC (Functional Household Tap Connection) – to achieve every rural household gets tap water by 2024.
Top drinking water and sanitation department functionaries said this after the launch of “10 Year Rural Sanitation Strategy” on Friday, which will focus on taking steps to ensure that there is no slip back to the ODF status of villages after October 2 and every new household gets a sanitary toilet. The other focus area will be managing the solid and liquid waste and also to increase share of schools, aangawadis and health centres that have facilities for menstrual waste management by 2025.
Stating that the government has brought both water and sanitation under one ministry to address the two issues comprehensively, Union Jal Shakti minister Gajendra Singh Sekhawat said his ministry has asked all state governments to submit their their five-year action plan for providing tap water to every household in the three months.
Union drinking water and sanitation secretary Parameswaran Iyer said that they have released Rs 4,000 crore to states under the tap water scheme. He added strategies were being worked out how community can maintain the assets that have been put in place or wiRead More – Source