Since August 2019, Government of India is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission, in partnership with States to make provision of tap water supply to every rural household and public institutions in villages like schools, anganwadi centres, ashramshalas (tribal residential schools), health centres, Gram Panchayat building, etc., by 2024.The estimated outlay of the mission is Rs. 3.60 lakh Crore, out of which Central share is Rs. 2.08 lakh Crore.

At the time of announcement of Jal Jeevan Mission, out of 18.93 Crore rural households, 3.23 Crore (17%) households were reported to have tap water connections. In last 27 months, 5.44 Crore (28.30%) rural households have been provided with tap water connections. Thus, as of date, out of 19.22 Crore rural households in the country, 8.67 Crore (45.10%) households are reported to have provision of tap water supply in their homes. So far, provision of tap water supply has been made in 8.33 lakh (81%) schools and 8.75 lakh (78.3%) anganwadi centres.

The State/ UT, district & village-wise status of tap water connection in rural households, schools and anganwadi centres as reported by States/ UTs is in public domain and available on JJM dashboard at: https://ejalshakti.gov.in/jjmreport/JJMIndia.aspx

Year-wise timelines finalized by States/ UTs for making provision of tap water supply to every rural household is as follows:

In Goa, Telangana, Haryana, Puducherry, A & N Islands, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, provision for tap water supply to all rural households has been made.

With assured tap water supply, JJM is playing a significant role in improving the ‘quality of life’ of people as well as enhancing their 'ease of living', especially of women and children. Assured availability of safe drinking water in the household premises help in improving the health and thereby socio-economic condition of rural population. It also brings down the drudgery of rural women and girls, who travel long distance to fetch water for the family. With the implementation of the mission, participation of women in income generation opportunities is also expected to improve as well as reduction in loss of school days for girls and adverse health impacts.

  JJM is also helping in mitigating the impact of CoVid-19 pandemic by ensuring tap water supply in rural homes, thereby avoiding crowding at public stand-posts. Assured tap water supply and handwashing facilities in schools, ashramshalas and anganwadi centres, also helps in preventing the spread of Coronavirus. 

  Apart from this, implementation of drinking water supply works to ensure tap water supply in all 6.04 lakh rural villages to raise demand for materials like cement, bricks, gravel, sand, steel, pipes, motors, faucets, etc. on one hand and engagement of unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled workers for creation as well as for operation and maintenance of water supply schemes on the other. This also boosts the rural economy and income generation to people in rural areas.

This Information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel in a written  reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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