Parliament Question: Targets achieved under Jal Jeevan Mission

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6368 ANSWERED ON 02.04.2026 TARGETS ACHIEVED UNDER JAL JEEVAN MISSION 6368. SHRI BALRAM NAIK PORIKA: Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) the total number of rural households provided with Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) under the Jal Jeevan Mission, State/UT-wise along with the percentage achieved against the targets; (b) the number of villages declared as ‘Har Ghar Jal’ villages and the criteria adopted for such declaration; (c) whether there have been instances of non-functional tap connections and if so, the details thereof along with the mechanism in place for addressing complaints and ensuring water quality; and (d) the status of water quality testing laboratories established at the Gram Panchayat level under the said Mission? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA) (a) 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, is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) - Har Ghar Jal. 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 03.03.2026, under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal more than 12.58 Crore additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections. Thus, as on 03.03.2026, out of around 19.36 Crore rural households in the country, around 15.82 Crore (81.71%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes. The Year-wise, State/ UT-wise, District-wise and Village-wise status of tap water connection provided under the Mission in rural areas is in public domain and available on JJM dashboard at: https://ejalshakti.gov.in/jjmreport/JJMIndia.aspx (b) Under JJM, after making provision of tap connections to all rural households in a village, the Department implementing the scheme provides completion certificate to Gram Panchayat and marks the village as ‘Har Ghar Jal’ village on JJM-IMIS. Subsequently, Gram Panchayats in its Gram Sabha Page 1 of 2meeting after reading out aloud the work completion report, formally passes resolution certifying itself as ‘Har Ghar Jal’ village. The copy of certificate provided by implementing department, resolution passed by Gram Sabha, and a small video capturing the Gram Sabha is reflected on JJM Dashboard and village is marked certified in JJM- IMIS. As reported by States, out of more than 2.75 lakh villages reported as ‘Har Ghar Jal’, around 1.81 lakh villages have been certified by the respective Gram Sabhas. (c) & (d) The Department undertakes assessment of the functionality of household tap water connections provided under the Mission, through an independent third-party agency, selected based on standard statistical sampling. During the Functionality Assessment, 2024, it was found that 98.1% of households in surveyed villages had tap connections; 87% of households with tap connections reported receiving water in the past week, indicating overall progress; 84% households receive water as per schedule; 80% households found receiving the minimum 55 LPCD water; 76% households found free from bacteriological contamination and 81% households of the supply source found free from chemical contamination and considering the parameters of quantity, quality and regularity, 76% of household tap connections were found to be functional. Results of functionality assessment are shared with States and Union Territories to take corrective measures and ensure functionality. Moreover, water being a state subject, grievances/ complaints, etc. under JJM are handled and disposed of at the State/ UT level. Such complaints/ representations as and when received in this department are forwarded to the state government for taking necessary corrective measures. In consultation with various stakeholders 'Concise Handbook for Monitoring Water Quality of Piped Drinking Water Supply to Rural Households’ has been released in December 2024 for guidance to States/ UTs. This handbook recommended for a comprehensive testing of drinking water samples at various testing points such as source, treatment plant, storage and distribution points, and remedial action wherever necessary, to ensure that the water supplied to households is of prescribed quality (BIS: 10500). Further, as reported by States/ UTs on JJM – Water Quality Management Information System (JJM- WQMIS), as on 30.03.2026, the State Public Health Engineering/ Rural Water Supply Departments operate a network of 2,874 water quality testing laboratories at various levels viz. State, regional, district, sub-division, block, mobile and/ or WTP facility laboratories. Under JJM, States/ UTs may deploy FTKs and services of Mobile Water Testing Laboratories to facilitate testing of drinking water in remote and far-flung areas where fixed laboratory infrastructure may not be available. The mobile laboratories enable on-site testing of drinking water sources and supply systems, thereby extending water quality monitoring and surveillance services to rural habitations, including remote Panchayats. ***** Page 2 of 2