Parliament Question: Strategies under Jal Jeevan Mission

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 794 ANSWERED ON 24.07.2025 STRATEGIES UNDER JAL JEEVAN MISSION †794. SMT. BHARTI PARDHI: SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE: Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) the strategies being implemented to ensure long-term operation and maintenance of rural piped water supply schemes and to promote community ownership and participation (Jan Bhagidari) under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM); (b) the support provided to Gram Panchayats in this regard; (c) the details of the specific and targeted interventions implemented to improve water security and prevent "Day Zero" scenario in severely water-stressed or groundwater-deficient States, particularly in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra; and (d) the success achieved so far in this regard, State-wise? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA) (a) & (b) To enable every rural household in the country, to have assured potable water, in adequate quantity of prescribed quality on regular and long-term basis, through tap water connection, since August 2019, Government of India in partnership with States including Madhya Pradesh & Maharashtra, is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) - Har Ghar Jal. At the start of 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 22.07.2025, under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal around 12.44 Crore additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections. Thus, as on 22.07.2025, out of 19.36 Crore rural households in the country, more than 15.67 Crore (80.94%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes. Similarly, at the start of the Mission, only 13.53 lakh (12%) rural households were reported to have tap water connections in the State of Madhya Pradesh. So far, as reported by the State as on 21.07.2025, under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal more than 65.03 lakh additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections. Thus, as on 21.07.2025, out of 1.11 Crore rural households in the State, more than 78.56 lakh (70.33%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes. Page 1 of 3Similarly, at the start of the Mission, only 48.44 lakh (33%) rural households were reported to have tap water connections in the State of Maharashtra. So far, as reported by the State as on 21.07.2025, under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal more than 83.58 lakh additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections. Thus, as on 21.07.2025, out of around 1.47 Crore rural households in the State, more than 1.32 Crore (89.94%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes. Since its launch, Jal Jeevan Mission is being implemented as a decentralized, demand-driven and community-managed programme, wherein the Gram Panchayat and/ or its sub-committee/ user group i.e. Village Water & Sanitation Committee (VWSC)/ Pani Samiti are being empowered to plan, implement, manage, operate and maintain in-village water supply system to provide regular and assured tap water supply in rural households. Under JJM, NGOs/ Community Based Organizations (CBOs)/ Self Help Groups (SHGs)/ Voluntary Organizations (VOs), etc. are also being empaneled as Implementation Support Agencies (ISAs) to handhold and train VWSCs/ Pani Samitis in planning, mobilizing and engaging communities, disseminating information and encouraging women participation for ensuring long-term maintenance of the water supply infrastructure. To bring in ‘sense of ownership and pride’ among rural communities, provision has been made for community contribution to the extent of 5% of the in-village infrastructure cost in case of North- Eastern States and difficult/ hilly areas, forested, water-stressed and villages with more than 50% SCs/ STs population, and 10% in remaining villages. Moreover, for enabling the local village community to play their role in planning, implementation and to shoulder the responsibility of operation and maintenance, Nal Jal Mitra Programme (NJMP) has been launched in collaboration with Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to equip them with a comprehensive set of skills & develop “Nal Jal Mitras”, so that they can function as scheme operators and are able to carry out minor repairs and maintenance, including preventive maintenance, of the piped water supply scheme(s) in their village as skilled masons, plumbers, fitters, electricians, motor mechanics, pump operators, etc. While preparing VAPs, dovetailing of resources available at village level under various programmes like 15th Finance Commission tied grant for water & sanitation to RLBs/ PRIs, JJM, SBM(G), MGNREGS, MP/ MLA - Local Area Development Funds, District Mineral Development Fund (DMDF), CSR Fund, community contributions, etc. is of paramount importance. In long-term, it is expected that village community will dovetail and utilize all available resources for long-term water security of the village. (c) & (d) As informed by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (DOWR&GR), Water being a State subject, Government of India providing technical and financial support to assist State efforts. Initiatives such as the National Aquifer Mapping (NAQUIM) and the Master Plan for Artificial Recharge (2020) encourage the implementation of rainwater harvesting structures. Additionally, the Central Ground Water Authority regulates groundwater usage and mandates rainwater harvesting in critical zones to ensure sustainable water management. Besides, DoWR, RD&GR has circulated a Model Bill to all the States/UTs to enable them to enact suitable ground water legislation for regulation of its development, which also includes provision of rainwater harvesting. So far, 21 States/UTs, including Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh have adopted and implemented the ground water legislation. Page 2 of 3CGWB has also implemented artificial recharge projects in Maharashtra and other states to boost groundwater. Recent data shows an encouraging trend in overall groundwater extraction reduced from 63.33% in 2017 to 60.47% in 2024, with safe assessment units increasing and over-exploited units decreasing. Groundwater monitoring in Maharashtra indicates 76% of wells showed rising water levels post-monsoon 2024, reflecting progress in groundwater sustainability. Similarly, in Madhya Pradesh, about 71% of the monitored wells reflect an increase in water levels. Further, Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) monitors groundwater levels throughout the country including Maharashtra, four times in every year. DoWR&GR along with the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and State Governments, conducts annual assessments of India’s dynamic groundwater resources. Moreover, Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR) campaign aiming to encourage water conservation at grass-root levels with people's participation was launched in 2019 in 256 water stressed districts of the country. Further, recognizing the importance of sustainable water management especially for drinking water availability, JSA-CTR was implemented with the theme “Source Sustainability for Drinking Water” in 2023. Similarly, in 2024, JSA was implemented with the theme "Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti" and in 2025, JSA is being implemented with the theme “People's Action for Water Conservation - Towards Intensified Community Connect” emphasizing the pivotal role played by community especially women in the field of water conservation. JSA:CTR involves inter-sectoral convergence of all development programmes like MGNREGS; AMRUT; Repair, Renovation and Restoration Scheme; Water Shed Development Scheme; Per Drop More Crop etc. As per the information uploaded by various stakeholders on the JSA:CTR portal (jsactr.mowr.nic.in) till date, around 1.87 crores water related works have been undertaken, around 13 lakh traditional water bodies were renovated/on-going, and around 78 lakh watershed development structures under the JSA:CTR campaign. In addition, various initiatives have been launched to promote water conservation and management. The important steps taken by the Central Government for sustainable ground water management across the country can be seen at web-link : https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3a70dc40477bc2adceef4d2c90f47eb82/uploads/2024/07/202407167 06354487.pdf. ***** Page 3 of 3