Restructuring and Extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)
The Union Cabinet has approved the restructuring and extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to 2028. Initially launched in 2019 by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the mission has significantly increased access to piped water in rural areas, with coverage rising from 17% to over 81% of rural households.
JJM 2.0: Overview and Funding
- Enhanced Outlay: ₹8.69 trillion, with ₹3.59 trillion as central assistance, compared to ₹2.08 trillion initially.
- Citizen-Centric Approach: A focus on making the program utility-based.
- Sujalam Bharat: A proposed national digital framework to assign unique service-area IDs to villages for improved water supply tracking.
Community Involvement and Accountability
- Role of Gram Panchayats: Strengthened in managing water and sanitation.
- Community Participation: Initiatives like “Jal Utsav” to engage community in water system reviews.
Challenges in Implementation
- Durability Issues: Irregular water supply and inadequate infrastructure maintenance.
- Budget Utilization: Reduced expenditure compared to allocations, indicating implementation bottlenecks.
Water Sustainability Concerns
India faces significant water stress, with groundwater playing a crucial role in rural supply.
- Groundwater Dependency: Over 85% of rural drinking-water demand met by groundwater.
- Sustainability Measures: Need for aquifer recharge, rainwater harvesting, and watershed development to secure long-term water availability.
Alignment with Global Goals
The mission aims to advance Sustainable Development Goal 6.1, ensuring universal access to safe and affordable drinking water by 2030, while enhancing rural water security.
