Executive Summary:
The Government of India launched the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in August 2019 to provide safe, potable tap water to all rural households. Regular field visits by national experts and officials, along with monthly state/UT inspections and central nodal officer inspections, monitor JJM scheme implementation. Inspections consider physical and financial progress, scheme completion, and reported irregularities. The mission has been extended until 2028, focusing on infrastructure quality and sustainability.
Key Points / Main Content:
Mission Objectives and Progress:
* JJM aims to provide safe potable tap water supply to all rural households.
* As of 28.07.2025, 15.67 crore (80.96%) out of 19.36 crore rural households have tap water supply, a significant increase from August 2019 when only 3.23 crore (16.7%) had connections.
Inspection and Monitoring:
* National WASH Experts and NJJM officials conduct regular field visits to verify JJM implementation.
* Objectives include engaging with state/district officials and community members, and assessing program effectiveness.
* States/UTs conduct monthly inspections of JJM schemes identified by DDWS since April 2025.
* State teams inspect construction quality, adherence to timelines, service availability, and issue resolution.
* Central Nodal Officers (CNOs), appointed by DoPT, conduct ground inspections of JJM schemes in identified districts.
State Selection Criteria:
* Selection is based on physical and financial progress of piped water supply schemes.
* Consideration of completion status, functionality, and reported irregularities.
* Selection also considers emerging priorities and specific program needs.
Implementation and Support:
* Drinking water is a state subject; states/UTs are responsible for planning, approval, implementation, operation, and maintenance.
* The Government of India provides technical and financial assistance to states.
* Observations from ground verification visits help states identify gaps and take corrective measures.
JJM Extension:
* The mission has been extended until 2028.
* Focus on infrastructure quality and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) through Jan Bhagidhari.
* Aim is to ensure sustainability and citizen-centric water service delivery.
Impact Analysis:
State/UT Governments:
* Impact: Responsible for planning, implementation, and maintenance of drinking water supply schemes.
* Action Required: Implement corrective measures based on inspection findings and collaborate with the Government of India for technical and financial assistance. Prioritize infrastructure quality and O&M.
Rural Households:
* Impact: Intended beneficiaries of safe and regular tap water supply.
* Action Required: Engage with state and district-level officials during inspections and participate in Jan Bhagidhari to ensure sustainability of water services.
Government of India (Ministry of Jal Shakti):
* Impact: Oversees and supports the implementation of JJM.
* Action Required: Continue to provide technical and financial assistance to states, conduct regular monitoring, and allocate resources efficiently based on state needs and progress.
National WASH Experts and NJJM Officials:
* Impact: Responsible for conducting field visits and assessing program effectiveness.
* Action Required: Conduct thorough on-ground inspections, engage with stakeholders, and provide valuable insights to improve scheme implementation.
Central Nodal Officers (CNOs):
* Impact: Responsible for ground inspection of JJM schemes across identified districts.
* Action Required: Conduct thorough inspections, provide feedback, and contribute to improved scheme implementation.
Key Entities Referenced
Jal Jeevan Mission: A Government of India initiative launched in August 2019 to provide safe potable tap water supply to all rural households by 2028.
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The Indian government ministry responsible for water resources, river development and rejuvenation.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the starred question regarding the Jal Jeevan Mission was raised.
National WASH Experts: Experts conducting field visits to verify the on-ground implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation: A department under the Ministry of Jal Shakti responsible for the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Central Nodal Officers: Officers appointed by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) for ground inspection of Jal Jeevan Mission schemes across identified districts.
Har Ghar Jal: An initiative to ensure piped water supply to all rural households, under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
States UTs: Refers to States and Union Territories of India, which are partners in implementing the Jal Jeevan Mission.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 163
ANSWERED ON 31/07/2025
INSPECTION UNDER JAL JEEVAN MISSION
*163. SHRI RAJESH VERMA:
SHRI RAVINDRA DATTARAM WAIKAR:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to State:
(a) the details of the key objectives and scope of inspection initiative undertaken by the Government
under Jal Jeevan Mission;
(b) whether quality checks of water supply are included thereunder and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the names of the States identified for these inspections and the criteria adopted for their selection;
(d) whether the findings from the teams deputed for the purpose would be used to improve
implementation strategies and address local challenges and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the manner in which the move reflects the Government’s commitment to ensure piped water
supply to all rural households under the Har Ghar Jal initiative?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI C R PATIL)
(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the table of the House.
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Page 1 of 2Statement referred to in reply of Lok Sabha Starred Question
No. 163 for reply on 31.07.2025
(a) to (c) Government of India is committed to make provision for safe & potable tap water supply
in adequate quantity, of prescribed quality on a regular & long-term basis to all rural households in
the country. Towards this end, the Government of India launched the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), to
be implemented in partnership with States/ UTs, in August 2019. The significant progress has been
made under the mission as in August 2019, only 3.23 crore (16.7%) rural households were reported
to have tap water connections, while as on 28.07.2025, out of 19.36 crore rural households, more
than 15.67 crore (80.96%) are reported to have tap water supply.
As part of the monitoring mechanism, regular field visits are conducted by National WASH Experts
and NJJM officials across various States/ UTs. The objectives of these visits include verifying the
on-ground implementation of JJM, engaging with state/ district-level officials as well as community
members, and assessing the effectiveness of the program. Further, since April 2025, States/ UTs are
also conducting monthly inspections of the JJM schemes identified by DDWS. The team constituted
by the state conduct inspection of JJM schemes to see the quality of construction, adherence to
timelines, availability of services, resolution of issues, etc. In addition, Department of Personnel and
Training (DoPT), Government of India has also appointed Central Nodal Officers (CNOs) for the
ground inspection of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) schemes across identified districts.
The criteria for selecting states for visits are based on several factors, including physical and
financial progress of piped water supply schemes, completion status, functionality, references
regarding irregularities, etc. Additionally, selection is also based on emerging priorities and the
specific needs of the programme. This comprehensive approach ensures that resources are allocated
efficiently and that programme implementation remains effective and transparent.
(d) and (e) Drinking Water is a state subject, and hence, the responsibility of planning, approval,
implementation, operation, and maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, including those
under the JJM, lies with State/UT Governments. The Government of India supports the states by
providing technical and financial assistance. The observations from ground verification visits offer
valuable insights that enable states to identify gaps in the implementation of the scheme and take
corrective measures.
Hon’ble Finance Minister during budget speech 2025 announced the extension of JJM until 2028
with enhanced outlay for completing the remaining works under JJM by prioritizing the quality of
infrastructure and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) of rural piped water supply schemes through
“Jan Bhagidhari” to ensure sustainability and citizen-centric water service delivery.
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