Jharkhand

• 11 Feb 2025

Status of Jal Jeevan Mission in Jharkhand

Why in News?  

The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Jharkhand has been disrupted in eight districts, affecting thousands of households. 

 Key Points 

• The 'Har Ghar Nal Jal' scheme, under the JJM aims to provide clean drinking water to every home, has been halted in Pakur, Sahibganj, Dhanbad, Dumka, Garhwa, Gumla, Latehar, and Simdega for the past two months.   
• The primary reason behind this suspension is the non-release of funds by the central government, leading to contractors stopping work due to unpaid dues.  
  • The Jharkhand government has requested a sum of ₹6,324 crore from the central government to revive and expedite the mission's activities.  
• Launched in 2019, the Jal Jeevan Mission set an ambitious target of providing tap water connections to 62,55,717 households in Jharkhand by December 2024.  
  • However, as of now, only 34,19,100 households have received connections, covering just 54.66% of the target.  
• This figure is significantly below the national average of 79.79%, leaving around 45% of households without access to clean drinking water.  
• The Jharkhand government is now urging the central authorities to release the pending funds promptly to reinvigorate the mission.  

Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)  

• About: 
  • Launched in 2019, it envisages supply of 55 litres of water per person per day to every rural household through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) by 2024 which has been extended till 2028 in Budget 2025-26. 
  • JJM looks to create a jan andolan for water, thereby making it everyone’s priority. 
  • It comes under Ministry of Jal Shakti. 
• Aim: 
  • The mission ensures functionality of existing water supply systems and water connections, water quality monitoring and testing as well as sustainable agriculture. 
  • It also ensures conjunctive use of conserved water; drinking water source augmentation, drinking water supply system, grey water treatment and its reuse. 
• Features: 
  • JJM focuses on integrated demand and supply-side management of water at the local level. 
  • Creation of local infrastructure for source sustainability measures as mandatory elements, like rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and management of household wastewater for reuse, is undertaken in convergence with other government programmes/schemes. 
  • The Mission is based on a community approach to water and includes extensive Information, Education and Communication as a key component of the mission. 
• Implementation: 
  • Paani Samitis plan, implement, manage, operate and maintain village water supply systems. 
    • These consist of 10-15 members, with at least 50% women members and other members from Self-Help Groups, Accredited Social and Health Workers, Anganwadi teachers, etc. 
  • The committees prepare a one-time village action plan, merging all available village resources. The plan is approved in a Gram Sabha before implementation. 
• Funding Pattern: 
  • The fund sharing pattern between the Centre and states is 90:10 for Himalayan and North-Eastern States, 50:50 for other states, and 100% for Union Territories.