Centre Slashes Jal Jeevan Mission Budget by 46%, Citing Cost Concerns

The central government has approved a substantial cut in funding for the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), reducing the proposed budget by 46%. The Ministry of Jal Shakti had sought Rs 2.79 lakh crore for the extended phase of the mission until December 2028. However, the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC), chaired by the Expenditure Secretary, has cleared only Rs 1.51 lakh crore, leading to a funding gap of over Rs 1.25 lakh crore.

This decision stems from concerns about inflated project costs and implementation delays reported in multiple states. The EFC also revised the overall mission outlay to Rs 8.69 lakh crore, down by Rs 41,000 crore from the Rs 9.10 lakh crore initially proposed.

Launched in August 2019, the Jal Jeevan Mission aimed to provide functional tap water connections to 16 crore rural households by December 2024. As of now, only 75% of the target has been achieved. The remaining 4 crore connections are now scheduled to be installed by the end of 2028 under an extended timeline.

The shortfall in central funding will likely require states to contribute a larger share to meet the remaining goals. Implementation has already been challenging in several states, many of which are facing delays due to factors like unreliable groundwater sources, water contamination, and difficult terrain.

According to a parliamentary standing committee report tabled on March 11, at least 17 states are encountering significant hurdles in rolling out the scheme. The same report highlighted that approximately 30.9 million households still lack access to piped water, with the vast majority concentrated in these 17 states and Union Territories.

These constraints, combined with the reduced funding, are expected to impact the overall progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission. States will have to ramp up their efforts and funding to compensate for the central cut if the mission’s revised targets are to be met by 2028.

Sources: The Indian Express, Hindustan Times