Jal Jeevan Mission implementation in India

The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has shown varying levels of progress across India. In Jammu and Kashmir, while rural household tap-water coverage increased from 31 per cent to 81 per cent, the mission faced delays with only 46 per cent of sanctioned schemes physically completed. Meanwhile, in Andhra Pradesh, a protected drinking water project was completed to provide safe water to approximately 75,000 people.

Following these implementation challenges, Jammu and Kashmir finalized a Comprehensive Implementation and Reform Plan (CIRP) under JJM 2.0. This plan establishes a time-bound framework for completing supply schemes and managing water quality. To support this, ₹128 crore has been released to Public Health Engineering divisions. Local authorities in Kishtwar have also begun conducting reviews and issuing directives to ensure coordinated implementation across multiple departments.

Recently, the Jammu and Kashmir government announced an investigation into irregularities within the mission following a report by the Legislative Assembly’s House Committee. Jal Shakti Minister Javed Ahmed Rana stated that all allegations and observations highlighted by the committee will be “thoroughly examined,” with appropriate actions taken based on the findings.

To address public concerns, Deputy Commissioners will be authorized to verify ground conditions and conduct inquiries into resident complaints. Minister Rana noted that while funding constraints over the last four years impacted the pace of certain schemes, more than 90 per cent of the mission's projects have been completed. The government intends to adopt a case-by-case approach, ensuring that projects without adverse findings continue and legitimate payments to contractors are released to avoid unnecessary disruption.