According to World Bank, India is one of the most water-stressed countries in the world. Moreover, India's water needs are problematic because it depends on the monsoon, which is becoming more and more unpredictable. In addition, climate change is likely to increase this strain on water resources, even as the country's floods and droughts become more frequent. Against this backdrop, Jal Shakti Ministry was established in the year 2019. In the same year, JJM was announced from the Red Fort. It is being implemented in collaboration with States to provide tap water supply in adequate quantity, prescribed quality, and adequate pressure on a regular and long-term basis to every rural household by 2024.
Objectives of Jal Jeevan Mission:
- To provide FHTC (Functional Tap Connection) to every rural household.
- To prioritize provision of FHTCs in quality affected areas, villages in drought-prone and desert areas, Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) villages, etc.
- To provide functional tap connection to Schools, Anganwadi centres, GP buildings, Health centres, wellness centres and community buildings.
- To monitor functionality of tap connections.
- To promote and ensure voluntary ownership through local monetary contributions and sharamdaan.
- To assist in ensuring sustainability of the water supply system.
- To empower and develop human resources in the sector such as the demands of construction, plumbing, electrical, water quality management, water treatment, catchment protection, etc.
- To bring awareness on various aspects and significance of safe drinking water and involvement of stakeholders in a manner that makes water everyone's business.
Source: Jal Jeevan Mission
Along with Goa, Dadra Nagar Haveli, Daman, and Diu became the first Union territories to achieve the feat. Burhanpur of Madhya Pradesh became the country's first 'Har Ghar Jal' certified district. Women have been given special roles under JJM. Accordingly, in every Pani Samiti, 50% of members were women, and weaker sections of the society also received
proportionate representation.
"There cannot be a better beginning of Amrit Kaal. Those who do not care about the country are not bothered about spoiling the present or future of the country. Such people can definitely talk big but never work with a big vision for water."
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Ministry of Jalshakti, has been running the following programmes to improve water quality and quantity issues in India:
JJM - Management Information System to support the maintenance of the habitation-level status of water supply data to ensure planning and monitoring at the micro and macro level.
Jal Jeevan Mission APP: The app allows anyone to fund the provision of safe drinking water in rural India.
JJM Training Portal addresses the training management need of the National Jal Jeevan Mission. In addition, it helps NJJM in capturing the Training demands/ needs of the Elected Representatives and officials.
Water Quality Management Information System (JJM-WQMIS) helps monitor water quality. It also maintains records about Lab Testing and Field Testing Kits.
Research and Development to facilitate forming alliances with scientists and R&D institutions, innovators, and entrepreneurs to generate valuable knowledge that may be fruitful in resolving challenges in the sector.
Innovative Technologies have been developed by Central Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to support the mission.
Prime Minister Modi emphasized that it is a significant achievement for the country as seven crore rural households connected with piped water in three years compared to just three crore households in seven decades. This is an example of human-centered development. He added Jal Jeevan Abhiyan is not just a government scheme but a mission run by the people of India (PI - Prime Minister Narendra Modi B).