Since August 2019, the Government of India, in partnership with States, is implementing the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), after subsuming erstwhile National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP), for making provision of potable water supply through functional tap water connection i.e. at a service level of 55 litre per capita per day (lpcd), of prescribed quality (BIS:10500), on regular and long-term basis to every rural household of the country inter alia including Scheduled Caste (SC).

JJM follows a universal approach for coverage of rural households. Further, while allocating the fund under JJM, 10% weightage is assigned for rural SC/ ST population, so as to prioritize their coverage. Also, States/ UTs have been advised to prioritize the coverage of SC/ST concentrated villages. As reported by States, out of 215.75 lakh rural households in SC dominated habitations, as on 17.03.2025, more than 172.86 lakh (80.12%) households have been provided with tap water connection. State/ UT-wise details of tap water connections in SCs concentrated areas as on 17.03.2025 are BELOW. Details of Scheduled Castes (SCs) households provided with tap water connection is not maintained at Government of India level.

Further, 22% of annual allocation of fund under JJM is mandatorily earmarked for Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP). The detail of funds allocated under JJM and fund drawn by the States under Scheduled Caste Sub Plan is as follows:

(Amount in Rs. Crore)

*As on 17.03.2025

Water being a State subject, the responsibility of planning, approval, implementation, operation, and maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, lies with State/ UT Governments. States/ UTs have been advised, through numerous review meetings, field visits, etc., to ensure functionality of tap water connections provided inter alia including quantity, quality and regularity of water supplied to all the rural households. Further, no such information with regard to disparity among the States in providing tap water connections to SC households has so far been received in this Department.

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI V. SOMANNA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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State/ UT-wise status of tap water connections in rural households in SC dominated areas

(as on 17.03.2025)

(Number in lakhs)

Source: JJM – IMIS                           HH: Household

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DHANYA SANAL K

(Lok Sabha US Q3385)

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