Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)

03.12.2025

Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)

Context

The operational effectiveness of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) recently came under scrutiny in Parliament. The government acknowledged significant implementation issues, revealing that 84% of complaints regarding poor quality of work under the scheme originated from the state of Uttar Pradesh.

About the Scheme

Launch: Launched in 2019, the mission is a flagship Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Objective:

• 'Har Ghar Nal Se Jal': The primary goal is to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections to all households in rural India.
• Health Focus: By ensuring clean water access, the mission aims to combat prevalent waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and hepatitis.

Specific Targets:

• Service Level: The mission mandates the supply of 55 liters of water per person per day.
• Timeline: The initial deadline for completion was 2024. However, due to various delays, the target has now been revised to 2028.

Key Features

Implementation Strategy (T.A.P):

• T (Target): Coverage of every rural household.
• A (Area Priority): Special focus on drought-prone areas, desert areas, Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) villages, and Aspirational Districts.
• P (Provide): Ensuring Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) rather than just infrastructure.

Community Participation (Role of Women): The mission emphasizes community-led water management, placing women at the forefront:

• Governance: Establishment of Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSC) or Pani Samitis.
• Representation: These committees mandate 50% representation for women and members of weaker sections.
• Responsibilities: Women are trained to test water quality using Field Test Kits (FTKs) and oversee minor maintenance and repairs.

Implementation Challenges

Infrastructure vs. Supply:

• "Paper" Schemes: Critics have highlighted instances where schemes are marked complete on paper, or where pipelines and tanks are installed without a connected water source.
• Quality Control: The high volume of complaints from specific regions points to gaps in construction quality and monitoring.

Public Health Implications:

• Despite infrastructure growth, the delivery of contaminated water remains a challenge. Recent outbreaks of jaundice and hepatitis (e.g., in Bhopal) highlight the persistent risks associated with compromised water quality.

Conclusion

The Jal Jeevan Mission represents a massive stride toward rural development and public health. However, the gap between "infrastructure creation" and "service delivery" remains a critical hurdle. Meeting the revised 2028 deadline will require a shift in focus from mere pipeline installation to ensuring sustainable, quality water supply and robust community management.