About
- Water is a fundamental necessity for life, and ensuring access to clean and safe drinking water is a crucial step toward improving public health and quality of life.
- Recognizing this, the Government of India launched the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) on 15th August 2019 with the goal of providing functional household tap connections (FHTC) to every rural household by 2024.
- This ambitious initiative is a key part of India’s water security strategy and aims to address issues related to water availability, quality, and sustainability.
Budget Allocation 2025
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the eighth budget in Parliament on February 1, 2025, stated that the mission has been extended until 2028. A total provision of Rs 67,000 crore has been allocated for the Jal Jeevan Mission under the Union Budget for 2025-26.
Objectives of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)
The primary goal of JJM is to provide 100% tap water connection to rural households across India. The specific objectives include:
- Ensuring Functional Tap Water Connections (FHTC) in Rural India
- Every household to have a potable water supply at the rate of 55 liters per person per day.
- Promoting Water Conservation and Sustainable Water Management
- Encouraging rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and greywater treatment.
- Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance
- Strengthening water quality testing at local levels through field test kits and water testing laboratories.
- Community Participation
- Encouraging Gram Panchayats, village communities, and NGOs to take ownership of the water supply system.
- Convergence with Other Government Schemes
- Collaborating with schemes like MGNREGA, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), and the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP).
Key Features of Jal Jeevan Mission
- Implementation at the Village Level
- Every village is required to prepare a Village Action Plan (VAP), which includes components like:
- Water source sustainability
- Infrastructure for tap connections
- Greywater management and reuse
- Every village is required to prepare a Village Action Plan (VAP), which includes components like:
- Community Ownership and Participation
- Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) are responsible for planning and managing water supply.
- Focus on Water Quality
- Setting up laboratories and using field test kits to monitor water quality.
- Use of Technology
- IoT-based real-time monitoring, GIS mapping, and sensor-based data collection.
- Sustainability and Conservation
- Integration with watershed management, afforestation, and rainwater harvesting projects.
Funding & Implementation
- Funding Pattern
- The mission is implemented with funding from both the Central and State governments.
- The funding pattern varies based on the type of state:
- 90:10 (Central:State) for Himalayan & North-Eastern states
- 50:50 for other states
- 100% central funding for Union Territories
- Implementation Strategy
- Decentralized Approach
- Villages take responsibility through their Gram Panchayats & VWSCs.
- Technical Assistance & Capacity Building
- Engineers and local water experts are trained for implementation.
- Convergence with Other Schemes
- Works alongside other rural development and sanitation programs.
- Decentralized Approach
Progress & Achievements
- At the launch of JJM in 2019, only 3.23 crore (16.9%) households had tap water connections.
- As of February 2025, the mission has successfully provided tap water to more than 13 crore households (~70% coverage).
- Several states like Goa, Telangana, Haryana, and Punjab have achieved 100% tap water coverage in rural areas.
Challenges in Implementation
- Water Scarcity & Depleting Groundwater
- Over-extraction of groundwater in many regions.
- Water Quality Issues
- Contamination due to fluoride, arsenic, iron, and salinity.
- Climate Change Impact
- Erratic rainfall, droughts, and floods affecting water availability.
- Sustainability of Infrastructure
- Ensuring long-term maintenance of tap water supply.
- Community Participation & Awareness
- Need for better engagement from local communities.
Way Forward
- Strengthening local governance to ensure sustainability.
- Promoting water conservation techniques like rainwater harvesting.
- Enhancing technology adoption for real-time monitoring.
- Integrating climate resilience strategies into water management.
- Scaling up capacity building for rural water management personnel.
Conclusion
The Jal Jeevan Mission is a landmark initiative that has transformed rural India’s water landscape. While significant progress has been made, challenges like water scarcity, infrastructure maintenance, and community participation need to be addressed to achieve the goal of “Har Ghar Jal” (Water for Every Home) by 2024. With a sustainable and people-driven approach, JJM has the potential to ensure long-term water security for India’s rural population.
FAQs on Jal Jeevan Mission
- What is the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)?
- JJM is a Government of India initiative launched in 2019 to provide functional tap water connections to every rural household by 2024.
- Who is responsible for implementing JJM?
- The Ministry of Jal Shakti, along with state governments and local Gram Panchayats.
- How is JJM funded?
- It is funded by both the Central and State governments, with different cost-sharing models.
- Which states have achieved 100% tap water coverage?
- Goa, Telangana, Haryana, and Punjab have already achieved full coverage.
- How can people participate in JJM?
- Villagers can engage in Village Water Committees, water conservation projects, and monitoring water quality.
