Parliament Question: Drinking Water Scarcity in Border Villages of Kasaragod

**Executive Summary** This document is an answer provided by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti to a question in Lok Sabha regarding drinking water scarcity in border villages of Kasaragod, focusing on the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal scheme. It provides updates on the progress of tap water connections across the country and in Kasaragod District as of December 2, 2025. The Jal Jeevan Mission has been extended until 2028. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal:** * The Government of India, in partnership with States, is implementing the centrally sponsored scheme to provide tap water supply to every rural household across the country, including border and hilly panchayats of Kasaragod District of Kerala. * **National Tap Water Connection Statistics (as of 02.12.2025):** * At the start of the Mission, 3.23 Crore (16.7%) rural households had tap water connections. * 12.52 Crore additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections under JJM. * Out of 19.36 Crore rural households in the country, 15.75 Crore (81.37%) households have tap water supply. * **Kasaragod District Tap Water Connection Statistics (as of 02.12.2025):** * At the start of the Mission, 0.39 lakh (15%) rural households had tap water connections. * More than 0.45 lakh additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections under JJM. * Out of 2.54 lakh rural households in the District, more than 0.84 lakh (33%) households have tap water supply. * **State Government's Role:** * Drinking water is a State subject; States plan, design, approve, and implement drinking water supply schemes. * The Government of India supplements the efforts of the States by providing technical and financial assistance. * Project-wise details are maintained at the State Government level. * **Financial Outlay:** * The estimated outlay of the mission was Rs. 3.60 lakh Crore, out of which the Central share was Rs. 2.08 lakh Crore. * Almost the entire Central share approved by the Cabinet has been released to the eligible States. * **Mission Extension:** * The Hon'ble Finance Minister has announced an extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission until 2028. **Impact Analysis** **States/UTs** * **Impact:** Responsible for planning, designing, approving, and implementing drinking water supply schemes within their jurisdiction, using both their own resources and the Central Government's support. * **Action Required:** Maintain project-wise details, including fund allocation and completion timelines, for rural water supply projects. **Rural Households (Nationwide)** * **Impact:** Aim is to ensure every rural household has tap water supply. Progress towards this goal is measured and reported. * **Action Required:** No direct action, but beneficiaries of the scheme. **Rural Households in Kasaragod District** * **Impact:** Focused on increasing tap water connections in border and hilly panchayats to address drinking water scarcity. * **Action Required:** No direct action, but beneficiaries of the scheme. **Central Government (Ministry of Jal Shakti)** * **Impact:** Oversees the implementation of the JJM – Har Ghar Jal scheme and provides technical and financial assistance to States. * **Action Required:** Continue to implement the centrally sponsored scheme, allocate funds, and monitor progress toward achieving universal household tap connection coverage.

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