Union Cabinet Approves Major Boost to Jal Jeevan Mission with Rs. 8.69 Lakh Crore Outlay

In a significant move, the Union Cabinet on Tuesday sanctioned the extension and overhaul of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), with a massive budget increase to Rs. 8.69 lakh crore. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described the restructuring to focus on service delivery rather than mere infrastructure development, promising sustainable rural potable water through improved governance.

The Cabinet has increased the central assistance for the mission to Rs. 3.59 lakh crore, a leap from the previous Rs. 2.08 lakh crore approved in 2019-20. The initiative introduces 'Sujalam Bharat,' a national digital framework ensuring each village is digitally mapped for efficient water supply management.

Ensuring accountability, gram panchayats will play a pivotal role in certifying projects through 'Jal Arpan.' Over 12.56 crore rural households now have access to tap water, marking significant progress from the 17% baseline in 2019. The mission's impact includes saving women 5.5 crore hours daily and reducing diarrheal deaths by 400,000 annually.