**Executive Summary**
Meghalaya has become the twelfth state to sign a Reform-Linked Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 on March 27, 2026. This agreement formalizes the state's entry into a service-driven rural water supply framework, aiming for 100% tap water coverage by the extended deadline of December 2028. Key objectives include decentralizing water management, ensuring long-term source sustainability, and maintaining strict accountability for project execution.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Institutional Framework and Decentralization**
* Empowerment of Gram Panchayats and Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) to manage and operate in-village water supply systems.
* Establishment of District Water Sanitation Missions (DWSMs) to oversee implementation and provide swift administrative support.
* Requirement for DWSMs to develop village-level action plans and issue panchayat certifications.
* **Financial and Strategic Provisions**
* Utilization of an additional ₹1.51 lakh crore approved outlay for the Mission, with approximately ₹67,300 crore allocated for 2025–26.
* Strategic use of MGNREGA and VB G RAM G funds to augment water sources and ensure long-term sustainability.
* Mandatory alignment of state Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) with central norms to ensure they are technically sound and outcome-oriented.
* **Accountability and Performance Standards**
* Implementation of a zero-tolerance approach toward lapses, backed by strict accountability measures within the MoU framework.
* Emphasis on "Jan Bhagidari" (community participation) to enhance the living standards of rural communities.
* Commitment to providing water of prescribed quality and adequate quantity on a regular basis to every rural household.
**Impact Analysis**
**Government of Meghalaya**
**Impact**
The State enters a formal partnership with the Union Government, gaining access to significant central funding while being held to higher accountability and reform standards.
**Action Required**
Accelerate implementation to bridge the gap from 83.59% to 100% coverage; ensure all line departments work holistically under the State’s Water Policy and Climate Council.
**Gram Panchayats and Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSCs)**
**Impact**
These grassroots bodies transition from passive recipients to empowered managers of local water infrastructure.
**Action Required**
Take responsibility for the operation and maintenance of in-village water supply systems and secure necessary certifications.
**District Administrations**
**Impact**
District authorities are placed at the helm of implementation through the District Water Sanitation Missions (DWSMs).
**Action Required**
Promptly set up DWSMs, develop village-level action plans, and oversee the execution of water projects within their jurisdictions.
**Rural Households**
**Impact**
Residents will receive assured access to sustainable, high-quality drinking water, contributing to improved living standards and water security.
**Action Required**
Engage in community participation (Jan Bhagidari) for the sustainable operation and maintenance of rural water supply systems.
Key Entities Referenced
Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0: A central government program aimed at providing 100% tap water coverage and sanitation to rural households, recently extended to 2028.
Meghalaya: The Indian state central to this policy development, having signed the reform-linked implementation framework for rural water supply.
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The primary Union Ministry responsible for the national oversight, funding, and implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Reform-Linked Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): The specific policy agreement between the Centre and the State that prioritizes decentralized water management, community ownership, and structural reforms.
Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS): The nodal department under the Ministry of Jal Shakti responsible for executing rural water supply and sanitation initiatives.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Meghalaya Becomes 12th State to Sign Reform-
Linked MoU under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0
Centre and State Strengthens Partnership and Shared
Commitment towards Sustainable Rural Drinking Water
Service Delivery
Posted On: 27 MAR 2026 3:42PM by PIB Delhi
Marking a significant milestone in the shift towards outcome-oriented and service-driven rural water
supply, Meghalaya has become the twelfth State to sign a Reform-Linked Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with the Union Government under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0. This step marks the State’s
formal entry into the reform-linked implementation framework of Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, which was
approved by the Union Cabinet on March 10, 2026.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C. R. Patil; Minister of State
for Jal Shakti, Shri V. Somanna; along with the virtual presence of Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri
Conrad K. Sangma.
Shri Marcuise N. Marak, Minister, PHE, Government of Meghalaya; Shri Praveen Bakshi, Commissioner
& Secretary, PHE, Government of Meghalaya; Shri Ashok K.K. Meena, Secretary, Department of
Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS); Shri Kamal Kishore Soan, Additional Secretary & Mission
Director, National Jal Jeevan Mission; and other senior officials from DDWS were present during the
meeting.In his opening remarks, Shri Ashok K. K. Meena, Secretary, DDWS underscored that the MoU prioritizes
not just infrastructure setup of pipelines, but sustainable services managed at the grassroots level. He
emphasised on decentralization and community ownership, with Gram Panchayats and Village Water &
Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) being empowered to manage and operate in-village water supply
systems. The key reform measures focus on prompt setup of District Water Sanitation Missions (DWSM)
to develop village-level action plans and issue panchayat certifications along with district administrations,
heading DWSMs, to oversee implementation and offer swift support.
Describing the MoU as a shared pledge for enduring water security, Shri Meena linked it to the national
goal of building a water-secure India through collaborative efforts between the Central Government and
the State Government.
The MoU was signed and exchanged between Smt. Swati Meena Naik, Joint Secretary (Water), DDWS,
Ministry of Jal Shakti, and Shri Praveen Bakshi, PHE, Government of Meghalaya.
Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C.R. Patil noted that Meghalaya has made commendable progress
under the Mission, achieving 83% coverage. He urged the State Government to accelerate implementation
and complete the remaining work at the earliest, in line with the vision of Prime Minister Shri NarendraModi.
Recalling the evolution of the Jal Jeevan Mission timeline, Shri Patil stated that although the original
deadline was May 2024, it has been extended till December 2028 under the direction of the Prime
Minister to provide 100% tap water coverage and sanitation throughout the nation. He further informed
that the Union Cabinet has approved an additional outlay of ₹1.51 lakh crore for the Mission, with around
₹67,300 crore allocated in the Union Budget for 2025–26. He expressed confidence that through the
MoUs the State would utilise these funds efficiently while maintaining high standards of execution.
Highlighting the broader vision, the Minister underscored that the goal of Viksit Bharat @2047 can only
be achieved with assured tap water supply and proper sanitation for every household. He described the Jal
Jeevan Mission as one of the largest programmes of its kind globally and stressed the importance of
maintaining quality and accountability at every stage. Reiterating a zero-tolerance approach towards
lapses, Shri Patil stated that strict accountability measures have been incorporated as part of the MoU
framework. The Union Minister, further informed that the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) submitted by
the State are currently under examination at the Centre and expressed confidence that Meghalaya will
continue to align its proposals with prescribed norms, ensuring they remain realistic, technically sound,
and outcome-oriented.
Emphasizing the importance of sustainability, he encouraged the State to further strengthen water
conservation efforts under Jal Sanchay with a push to Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0. He noted that strategic
utilisation of funds under MGNREGA across different zones would significantly augment water sources
and support the long-term sustainability of rural water supply systems. He also urged the state to take up
source sustainability and water conservation using VB G RAM G fund, for continuous supply of water.
With the signing of the reform-linked MoU today, Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C.R. Patil expressed
confidence that Meghalaya, being the twelfth State to sign the MoU under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, he
expects the State to soon join the list of States that have achieved 100% tap water coverage, reflecting its
strong commitment to reforms and assured water service delivery.
Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri Conrad K. Sangma extended his gratitude towards the Union
Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C.R. Patil, and Jal Jeevan Mission. He stated that Meghalaya, which was once
among the lowest in the country in terms of rural tap water coverage, has now achieved 83.59% coverage
under Jal Jeevan Mission since its launch. He credited this remarkable progress to the strong support and
guidance of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Jal Shakti.Shri Sangma further informed that the State has adopted a comprehensive Water Policy as early as 2019
and has constituted a Climate Council with active involvement of multiple departments. He highlighted
that all line departments are now working together in a holistic manner to address water-related issues,
including awareness generation, soil conservation, and other interventions. Acknowledging the challenges
of operation and maintenance, the Chief Minister assured that the State Government is fully prepared to
take maximum responsibility.
He reiterated that the State is fully committed to implementing all the provisions of the MoU and will
work closely with the Central Government to ensure not only the quantity but also the quality and
sustainability of water supply to every household.
The reform-linked MoU seeks to ensure that every rural household has access to drinking water supply in
adequate quantity and of prescribed quality on a regular basis, through strengthened community
participation (Jan Bhagidari) and bringing in structural reforms for sustainable operation and maintenance
of rural water supply systems, thereby enhancing the living standards of rural communities contributing to
long-term water security aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
***
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