Brief Context
In News Several MPs have called for an investigation into alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission, particularly concerning inflated contracts and cost overruns. Challenges The mission faces several challenges, such as a lack of dependable water sources in certain areas, groundwater contamination, uneven geographical terrain, scattered rural habitations, and delays in obtaining statutory clearances etc. Issues have been raised for long-standing water shortages and m
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Syllabus: GS2/Governance
In News
- Several MPs have called for an investigation into alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission, particularly concerning inflated contracts and cost overruns.
The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)
- About: It is a centrally sponsored scheme that was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2019, with the ambitious goal of providing tap water supply to every rural household.
- In the Union Budget 2025-26, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced an increased allocation of ₹67,000 crore for the Jal Jeevan Mission, which is now extended until 2028.
- Objectives: It aims to provide Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) to every rural household, with a focus on priority areas such as drought-prone regions, quality-affected zones, deserts, and Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) villages.
- It also ensures tap water access in schools, Anganwadi centers, health facilities, and community buildings, while actively monitoring the functionality of these connections.
- Achievement: As of February 1, 2025, the Jal Jeevan Mission has provided tap water connections to 12.20 crore additional rural households, increasing total coverage to over 15.44 crore households—79.74% of India’s rural households.
- WHO estimates JJM will save 5.5 crore hours daily, mostly for women, and could prevent 400,000 diarrheal deaths and save 14 million Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs).
- Nobel laureate Prof. Michael Kremer’s research suggests that safe water coverage could reduce mortality among children under five by nearly 30%, potentially saving 136,000 lives annually.
- The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), estimates that JJM will generate 59.9 lakh person-years of direct and 2.2 crore person-years of indirect employment during its capital expenditure phase.
Challenges
- The mission faces several challenges, such as a lack of dependable water sources in certain areas, groundwater contamination, uneven geographical terrain, scattered rural habitations, and delays in obtaining statutory clearances etc.
- Issues have been raised for long-standing water shortages and mismanagement.
- It faces scrutiny for possible financial mismanagement and lack of transparency.
Source: IE