CURRENT-AFFAIRS

Reference

Delivering safe drinking water in a vast country like India has always been a major challenge. The 'Jal Jeevan Mission', launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019, was a revolutionary step in this direction. In the February 2026 budget, two contradictory news items regarding this mission emerged—first, a large allocation of ₹67,600 crore, and second, a sharp decline in actual expenditure due to massive irregularities in the states.

Jal Jeevan Mission Scheme

Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is a major and ambitious program of the Government of India, which was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the Red Fort on August 15, 2019.

• Target: To ensure the supply of 55 liters of water per person per day through 'Functional Household Tap Connections' (FHTC) to every rural household by 2024 (now extended to 2028).
• Funding Pattern: For Himalayan and North-Eastern states, the center-state share is 90:10; for other states, it is 50:50; and for Union Territories, it is 100% by the Center.
• Approach: It is a 'Jan Andolan' (people's movement) based on community participation, water management, and water conservation.

Why in the News?

• Statement by the Center in Rajya Sabha: Minister of State for Jal Shakti, V. Somanna, clarified in the Rajya Sabha that the Center has not issued any new funds to many states (such as Assam) in 2025-26.
• Instructions to States: The Center has asked the states to complete their projects using their own resources. The main reason for this is the non-utilization of previous funding and the lack of audit reports.
• Extension of Deadline: Due to the inability to meet its original target of 2024, the duration of this mission has now been extended to December 2028 (or March 2028 in some contexts).

Need and Relevance in India

• Health Security: Safe water has reduced the burden of diarrhea, cholera, and water-borne diseases in rural areas. According to data, it has prevented approximately 4 lakh diarrhea deaths.
• Achievement: According to the current dashboard, tap connections have reached approximately 15.79 crore (81.5%) households.
• Women Empowerment: Rural women have gained freedom from walking miles for water, saving their time and labor.
• Economic Benefits: Clean water increases efficiency and reduces expenditure on diseases.
• NITI Aayog Report: According to 2018, 60 crore people in India are facing extreme water shortage; in such a situation, this mission is a battle for existence.

Budget 2026: Details of Allocation and Complaints

• Allocation: Provision of ₹67,600 crore for the financial year 2026-27.
• Complaints: The Ministry of Jal Shakti has received about 17,000 complaints from states. Reports of pipe quality and misuse of funds have been prominent in states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
• Audit Problem: The Center has made it clear to the states that until the previous audit is completed, new funds will not be provided.

Different Status of States

• Successful States: States like Goa, Telangana, Haryana, Gujarat, and Punjab have achieved 100% rural coverage and earned the status of 'Har Ghar Jal'.
• Lagging States: A large target remains in West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand due to geographical challenges and administrative laxity.
• Crisis in Uttarakhand: Most of the 14.49 lakh houses here have been covered, but due to lack of budget, liabilities of ₹2000 crore are stuck and 20% of the work is incomplete.

Budget vs. Actual Expenditure

• This is the most important part of this article. ₹66,770 crore was allocated in the 2025-26 budget, but according to the Revised Estimates (RE), only ₹16,944 crore could be spent. This reflects a 74% decline, showing that the Center has adopted 'strictness' after complaints of corruption and stopped funding to the states.

Implementation and Major Challenges

• Corruption: Use of sub-standard materials due to collusion between contractors and officials.
• Economic Burden on States: States are facing difficulty in completing work with their own resources after the Center stopped funds.
• Source Sustainability: Taps have been installed, but water supply is stopping due to falling groundwater levels.
• Lack of Capital Expenditure: All the money in the budget is for maintenance; there is a lack of funds for new construction.

Analysis

This mission has now entered the 'maintenance phase' from the 'construction phase'. The strict stance of the Central Government indicates that it now wants not just the 'number of connections' but 'financial transparency' and 'quality of work'. If the states do not improve their systems, the allocation of ₹67,600 crore will remain limited only to paper.

Way Forward

• Digital Audit: 'Real-time monitoring' and digital auditing should be mandatory to prevent misuse of funds.
• Rainwater Harvesting: Campaigns like 'Catch the Rain' must be linked with the mission so that water remains in the taps.
• Third-Party Inspection: There should be surprise checks on the quality of work by independent agencies.
• Resolution of Disputes: Stuck work should be expedited by paying the pending bills of contractors in states like Uttarakhand.

Conclusion

Jal Jeevan Mission is not just a government scheme, but the lifeline of rural India. Budget 2026 has given 'oxygen' to the mission, but its success now depends on the balance between the Center's strictness and the accountability of the states. If pure water is to be delivered to every house by December 2028, a check on corruption and conservation of water sources will be mandatory.