**Subject: Summary of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1944 Regarding the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)**
This document summarizes the response provided by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri V. Somanna, to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1944, answered on July 31, 2025, concerning the rising costs associated with the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
The JJM, a centrally sponsored scheme launched in August 2019, aims to provide Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) to every rural household in India. At its inception, the government approved a central outlay of ₹2,08,652 crore to support States and Union Territories. This approved outlay has been almost fully utilized.
As of July 28, 2025, the mission has facilitated the provision of tap water connections to over 12.44 crore additional rural households. This brings the total to over 15.67 crore (80.96%) out of 19.36 crore rural households with tap water supply. At the start of the mission, only 3.23 crore (16.7%) rural households had tap water connections.
Recognizing the need for continued focus on infrastructure quality, long-term sustainability through operation and maintenance, and citizen-centric water service delivery, the Finance Minister announced in the 2025-26 budget speech an extension of the JJM until 2028 with an enhanced total outlay. A proposal for this continuation is currently under consideration by the Government.
The response does not explicitly address an audit or investigation into potential cost inflation or misuse of funds, nor does it confirm the reported rise in estimated cost to ₹8.29 lakh crore. The answer acknowledges that an enhanced total outlay is under consideration for the extended mission.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: A ministry in the Government of India, responsible for water resources and sanitation.
Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation: A department under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, focused on providing safe drinking water and sanitation facilities.
Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM): A centrally sponsored scheme launched by the Government of India in August 2019, aiming to provide Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) to every rural household in the country.
SMT. RACHNA BANERJEE: Member of Parliament who raised a question regarding the rise in cost of JJM schemes.
SHRI V. SOMANNA: Minister of State for Jal Shakti who provided the answer to the parliamentary question.
Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs): A key objective of the Jal Jeevan Mission, aiming to provide tap water connections to every rural household.
2,08,652 crore: The initial central outlay approved by the Government of India to support the States and UTs under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
2028: The year until which the Jal Jeevan Mission has been proposed to be extended, as announced in the Finance Minister's budget speech 2025-26.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1944
ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025
RISE IN COST OF JJM SCHEMES
1944. SMT. RACHNA BANERJEE:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that the total estimated cost of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) schemes has
reportedly risen to Rupees 8.29 lakh crore more than double the original estimate as per the current
survey report conducted by the Government;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government has conducted any audit or investigation into potential cost
inflation or misuse of funds; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI V. SOMANNA)
(a) to (d) The Government of India had launched Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), a centrally sponsored
scheme, in August 2019, aiming to provide Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) to
every rural household of the country. At the time of the launch, the Government also approved
support for the States and UTs with a central outlay of ₹2,08,652 crore. The approved central outlay
has almost been utilized.
At the start the mission, only 3.23 crore (16.7%) rural households were reported to have tap water
connections. So far, as reported by States/ UTs as on 28.07.2025, under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) –
Har Ghar Jal more than 12.44 crore additional rural households have been provided with tap water
connections. Thus, as on 28.07.2025, out of 19.36 crore rural households in the country, more than
15.67 crore (80.96%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes.
To achieve the goal of the mission with focus on quality of infrastructure and Operation &
Maintenance of rural piped water supply schemes for long term sustainability and citizen centric
water service delivery, Hon'ble Finance Minister during her budget speech 2025-26 has announced
extension of Jal Jeevan Mission until 2028 with enhanced total outlay. Accordingly, a proposal for
continuation of Jal Jeevan Mission until 2028 with enhanced total outlay is under consideration of
the Government.
*****