Union Cabinet Approves Extension of Jal Jeevan Mission, Outlay Raised to Rs. 8.69 Lakh Cr

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New Delhi: The Union Cabinet has approved a proposal by the Ministry of Jal Shakti to restructure and reorient the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), shifting the focus from infrastructure creation to service delivery.

The revamped programme aims to strengthen drinking water governance and build an institutional ecosystem for sustainable rural piped potable water supply.

Enhanced Budget Allocation

As part of the restructuring, the Cabinet has approved an enhanced total outlay of Rs. 8.69 lakh crore for the mission. The Centre’s share will increase to Rs. 3.59 lakh crore, up from Rs. 2.08 lakh crore approved in 2019–20. This means an additional central assistance of Rs. 1.51 lakh crore to support states and Union Territories in expanding rural water supply services.

Digital Framework for Water Supply Monitoring

A uniform national digital framework named ‘Sujalam Bharat’ will be introduced to improve monitoring and transparency. Under this system, every village will receive a unique ‘Sujal Gaon’ or Service Area ID. The digital platform will map the entire drinking water supply chain, from the water source to household taps, enabling better planning, tracking, and management.

Community Participation and Accountability

The programme also emphasises local participation and accountability. Village institutions such as Gram Panchayat and Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) will play a key role in commissioning and handing over schemes through a process called ‘Jal Arpan.’

A Gram Panchayat will declare itself ‘Har Ghar Jal’ only after certifying that all works are complete and that proper operation and maintenance systems are in place. To strengthen community ownership, the mission will promote an annual event called ‘Jal Utsav,’ where villagers will review water supply systems and carry out maintenance activities.

Targets Under JJM 2.0

Under JJM 2.0, the government aims to provide tap water connections to all 19.36 crore rural households across the country by December 2028. Separate Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) will be signed with states and Union Territories to ensure adherence to timelines and sustainability of schemes.

The revamped mission aligns with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, aiming to ensure reliable and citizen-centric rural drinking water services, with the long-term goal of 24×7 piped water supply in rural India.