Copyright infringement not intended

PC: IndiaSpend

Context:

The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), launched in 2019, seeks to provide 100% tap water access to rural households by 2024. Despite significant progress, the mission currently faces substantial structural, functional, and socio-technical problems that jeopardize its success.

What is Jal Jeevan Mission?

• The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), launched in August 2019, is the Indian government's ambitious attempt to supply Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) to all rural households.
• The initiative, led by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, aims to provide equitable access to safe and adequate drinking water to all rural families by 2024.
• JJM has achieved significant progress in the years since its inception, but it is now facing budget difficulties as it approaches the end of its implementation phase.

Jal Jeevan Mission: Vision and Objectives

• The mission's primary goal is to provide "Har Ghar Jal" (safe and adequate drinking water) to every family through individual tap connections by 2024. It intends to:
• Provide 55 litres of water per person per day (lpcd) and promote sustainable water supply systems.
• Ensure community participation and openness.
• Integrate source sustainability with greywater management.
• As of the last calculation, March 31, 2025, almost 73% of rural households (14.56 crore) had received tap water connections under JJM.
• 13 states and union territories, including Goa, Haryana, Gujarat, and Telangana, have reached 100% coverage.
• 2.12 lakh villages have been deemed "Har Ghar Jal certified," indicating that each family has a working tap water connection.
• 6.2 lakh village-level water and sanitation committees have been established to ensure grassroots participation and monitoring.

Jal Jeevan Mission: Progress, Challenges & Funding Concerns 

• Tap Access and Usage: While approximately 90% of rural households have tap connections under JJM, only 39% use them as their primary water source, highlighting issues of functionality over mere access.
  
  
• Regional Disparities: States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha report extremely low tap water usage (6–30%), indicating deep infrastructure and service delivery gaps.
  
  
• Timeline Concerns: Despite official targets, full functional coverage under JJM may only be achievable by 2028, suggesting delays in implementation.
  

Structural and Implementation Challenges

• Funding and Corruption: Progress has been hindered by reduced central funding, bureaucratic irregularities, and corruption in construction projects.
  
  
• Implementation Gaps: Lack of transparency in tendering processes, increased financial burdens, and incomplete infrastructure weaken execution.
  
  

Governance Structure Issues

• Centralised Water Governance: Despite earlier decentralisation efforts, water governance remains highly centralised, limiting the autonomy of local institutions.
  
  
• Local Capacity Deficits: Village-level actors often lack the technical and financial capacity to manage water quality, quantity, and regular supply.
  
  

Administrative and Data Mismatches

• Misleading Data Representation: The JJM dashboard claims 100% coverage, but is based on outdated census data, failing to reflect ground-level realities.
  
  
• Weak Grievance Redressal: Lack of public data on complaints received or resolved hampers accountability in service delivery.
  
  

Material and Environmental Constraints

• Unpredictable Water Resources: Climate change, groundwater depletion, and irregular rainfall adversely affect water availability and quality.
  
  
• Aging Infrastructure: Problems like leaky pipes, faulty tanks, and broken taps require regular maintenance, especially in household-level systems.
  
  

Socio-Spatial Inequities

• Caste-Based Disparities: Caste dynamics influence water access. Placement of tanks and distance from lower-caste homes can reduce water pressure and reliability.
  
  
• Inclusive Workforce Needed: Empowering marginalised castes as plumbers or pump operators is essential for a sustainable and equitable water supply system.
  
  

Degradation of Traditional Water Sources

• Declining Alternatives: Handpumps and open wells are deteriorating, leading to unsafe water usage and increased vulnerability in rural communities.
  
  
• Rising Economic Burden: Population growth and failing infrastructure contribute to a higher financial burden on rural households.
  
  

Funding Status and Financial Challenges

• Additional Fund Demand: The Ministry of Jal Shakti has requested ₹2.79 lakh crore from the 16th Finance Commission, but the interim panel has only approved ₹1.42 lakh crore.
  
  
• Original Budget and Allocation: The mission’s original outlay was ₹3.60 lakh crore (Centre + States). So far, the Centre has allocated ₹1.58 lakh crore and disbursed ₹1.12 lakh crore.
  
  
• Reason for Extra Funds: Rising inflation, expanded coverage, and O&M (operation and maintenance) needs have inflated project costs.
  
  
• Impact of Funding Gap: Delays in states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and West Bengal (all <60% coverage) and threats to long-term sustainability, especially post-2024, are key concerns.
  
  

Role of States and Local Institutions

• Community Participation: A core principle of JJM is the involvement of Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) in planning, operation, and maintenance.
  
  
• Capacity Building: Over 4 lakh women have been trained in water quality testing using field test kits, boosting local participation.
  
  
• Village Action Plans (VAPs): States must prepare VAPs to support decentralised planning and implementation at the grassroots.

Practice Question Q. Examine the structural and operational bottlenecks hindering the effective utilisation of rural tap water infrastructure. (250 Words)