Achieving Tap Water Connection in Rural Households

The question asks about the first state in India that successfully provided a tap water connection to every rural household by October 2020. This significant achievement is part of the Indian government's ambitious Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections to all rural households in India by 2024.

Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, the focus is on ensuring Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs), meaning that water is not just available but is also of prescribed quality and supplied regularly in adequate quantity.

Several states have been working towards this goal. However, according to official reports from October 2020, one state reached the milestone of having a tap water connection in 100% of its rural households before others.

Let's examine the options provided:

• Bihar
• Goa
• West Bengal
• Sikkim

Based on the data available regarding the implementation progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission, the state that achieved this 100% rural household tap water connection status by October 2020 was Goa.

Goa's proactive approach and focused implementation allowed it to become the first state to achieve this target, setting a benchmark for other states.

Therefore, the first state to provide a tap water connection to every rural household in October 2020 was Goa.

The correct option is Goa.

Revision Table: First State with Rural Tap Water

Additional Information: Jal Jeevan Mission and Tap Water Connectivity

The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is a flagship program of the Government of India. Launched in 2019, its primary objective is 'Har Ghar Jal' (tap water for every home).

• The mission aims to provide Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) to all rural households by 2024.
• It focuses on source sustainability measures, such as recharge and reuse through greywater management, water conservation, rainwater harvesting.
• The mission is community-based and includes extensive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities.
• States and Union Territories are working to accelerate the coverage of tap water connections. Achieving 100% coverage is a major milestone under this mission.
• Following Goa, other states and Union Territories have also achieved or are close to achieving 100% FHTC coverage in their rural areas.