Parliament Question: Data Authenticity and Verification in JJM Reporting

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. – 2115 ANSWERED ON 12/02/2026 DATA AUTHENTICITY AND VERIFICATION IN JJM REPORTING 2115. ADV. CHANDRA SHEKHAR Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) the actions taken by the Government on the authenticity of data uploaded by States on the IMIS portal including the verification mechanisms implemented and any independent audits conducted as on January 2026; (b) the measures taken by the Government to resolve issues of inflated coverage figures, absence of annual functionality assessments and discrepancies between reported and ground realities; and (c) the response of the Government to the World Bank’s emphasis on reliable data for sustainable water security and best practices from Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin for transparent, community-verified reporting to ensure accurate progress tracking towards hundred per cent coverage by 2028? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA) (a) to (c) Since August 2019, Government of India, in partnership with States, is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal to make provision of tap water supply to every rural household. Water is a state subject and therefore, the primary responsibility for planning and implementing piped water supply schemes to provide tap water to their households, lies with the respective State/UT. Government of India supplements the efforts of the States by providing technical and financial assistance under JJM. This Department has developed Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) digital portal and mobile app for Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to strengthen transparency, data accuracy, and real-time review. To ensure the authenticity of data on the IMIS portal, the Department has implemented a multi-layered verification mechanism. This includes mandatory Aadhaar seeding of beneficiaries, Geo-tagging of assets through Sujalam Bharat App, Uploading of pipelines on PM-GatiShakti Portal. Furthermore, the Department undertakes rigorous ground truthing exercises which involves: Page 1 of 2(i) Functionality Assessment: Under JJM, this department regularly conducts 'Functionality Assessment of tap connections' through an independent 3rd party agency. Under the assessment exercise, the functionality of tap connection is assessed on three parameters i.e. quantity (55 lpcd or more), quality and regularity i.e. water supply for all 12 months in a year or on daily basis. All these parameters are taken to define the functionality of the HH tap water connections, as per specified criteria. The reports of the last functionality assessment is also available in public domain. (ii) National Level Monitors (NLMs): Regular field visits by National Wash Experts, Central Nodal Officers, NJJM and NPMU members. NLMs to cross-verify reported progress against ground realities. (iii) Jal Seva Aankalan: Launched in December 2025, Jal Seva Aankalan represents a structured, Gram Panchayat-led framework designed to institutionalise village-level assessment of piped water supply systems. The initiative marks a shift from periodic, externally driven evaluations to a system of regular, community-validated self-assessment anchored in local governance and supported by digital platforms. The Government is fully aligned with global best practices regarding sustainable water security. To ensure transparent, community-verified reporting, JJM mandates the 'Har Ghar Jal' certification. Under this process, a village is only declared fully covered after a resolution is passed by the Gram Sabha, confirming that every household is receiving water. This community-centric approach ensures accountability and aligns with the principles of reliable data verification. ***** Page 2 of 2