New Delhi: The Ministry of Jal Shakti has informed the Rajya Sabha that the Government of India has extended substantial financial and technical assistance to Sikkim over the last five years under key centrally sponsored schemes related to water supply, river conservation, flood control and drainage development.
Responding to an unstarred question raised by MP Dorjee Tshering Lepcha, Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary said that small states like Sikkim receive support under schemes such as the Jal Jeevan Mission, National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) and the Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP).
According to the Ministry’s written reply, Sikkim received ₹1,054.37 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission between 2020-21 and 2024-25. The funds were used to provide functional household tap connections and to ensure potable drinking water reaches every rural household.
Under the National River Conservation Plan, the Centre released ₹202 crore to the State Government for pollution abatement, including the upgrade of sewage-treatment capacity. For flood-control related works under the Flood Management and Border Areas Programme, Sikkim received ₹81.84 crore for anti-erosion, flood control and drainage development activities.
The Ministry also stated that the Centre already implements several schemes aimed at supporting small and disaster-prone Himalayan states. These include the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, the National River Conservation Plan, the Flood Management and Border Area Programme and the National Water Mission. Officials added that these schemes are reviewed and revised as required.
The reply comes amid continuing demands from several Himalayan states for specialised policy support tailored to their unique geophysical vulnerabilities and development challenges.