New Delhi, March 10: The Union Cabinet has given its approval for the extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) until December 2028, with a revised budget allocation of Rs. 8.69 lakh crore. Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, briefed the media on the Cabinet's decision, stating that the Ministry of Jal Shakti's proposal to restructure and reorient JJM was approved. The aim is to shift the mission's focus from infrastructure creation to sustainable service delivery, underpinned by robust drinking water governance and an institutional framework for rural piped water supply.
The Cabinet's restructuring of the JJM includes a substantial increase in funding, with the total outlay now raised to Rs. 8.69 lakh crore. This includes Rs. 3.59 lakh crore in central assistance, up from Rs. 2.08 lakh crore approved in 2019-20, an additional Rs. 1.51 lakh crore in central funding. As part of the reform, a nationwide digital framework called "Sujalam Bharat" will be implemented. Each village will be assigned a unique Sujal Gaon / Service Area ID, which will map the entire drinking water supply system digitally, from source to tap.
To ensure greater transparency and accountability, the programme will involve gram panchayats and Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) in the commissioning and formal handover of water schemes, through a process called "Jal Arpan." The Gram Panchayat will be responsible for certifying the completion of works and declaring its village "Har Ghar Jal" only after confirming that adequate in-village operation and maintenance mechanisms have been established by the State Government.
Recognizing the importance of community participation for operational success and sustainable water sources, the programme will promote "Jal Utsav"—an annual, community-driven event for maintenance and review of water supply systems. This initiative will integrate local cultural traditions while reinforcing collective responsibility for ensuring a secure water future.
Since the baseline of 3.23 crore (17%) rural households with tap water connections in 2019, the Jal Jeevan Mission has successfully connected an additional 12.56 crore rural households to tap water. Currently, out of the 19.36 crore rural households identified by the States/UTs, approximately 15.80 crore (81.61%) households have access to tap water connections.
