Lok Sabha Question No. 2051 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-28
Subject: National Workshop on JJM
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: A. Ganeshamurthi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 2051 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28/07/2022

## NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON JJM

## 2051.  SHRI A. GANESHAMURTHI:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  emphasis  was  laid  at  the  National  Workshop  on  Jal  Jeevan  Mission  (JJM)  on evolving  the  community  ownership  of  water  supply  infrastructure  and  service  delivery  to ensure its long-term sustainability;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  the  rural  communities  would  be  engaged  through  Panchayats  and  block  level development  in  the  water  supply  schemes  from  the  planning  stage,  instead  of  at  the consumption level; and

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the steps being taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a) to (d) Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is a decentralized, demand-driven, community-managed programme and through bottom-up planning approach. JJM Operational Guidelines emphasises on the role  of  community  in  planning,  implementation,  management,  operation and  maintenance  of  in-village  water  supply  infrastructure.  The  importance  of  community ownership  of  water  supply  infrastructure  for  long-term  service  delivery  has  been  stressed upon  to  State/UTs  through  various  communications,  review  meetings,  national/regional conferences, national/regional workshops, webinars, field-visits etc. Further it is also stressed upon States/UTs to mobilize communities on a large scale to make JJM a people's movement ('Jan Andolan').

Further,  to  bring  in  sense  of  ownership  and  pride  among  rural  communities,  community contribution  is  to  be  made,  which  is  5%  of  capital  cost  towards  in-village  water  supply infrastructure in hilly, forested, and in villages having more than 50% SC/ ST population and 10% in the remaining villages. Communities will be rewarded by providing 10% of the invillage infrastructure cost of the scheme after successful implementation of the scheme, as a revolving  fund  to  meet  any  unforeseen  expenditure  due  to  break  down,  etc.  for  long-term sustainability of the schemes. Provision has also been made for incentives to those Panchayats where community contribution is deposited by the community.

As envisaged in JJM Operation Guidelines, States/UTs are required to form sub-committee of Gram Panchayat  i.e.  Village  Water  and  Sanitation  Committee  (VWSC)/  Pani  Samiti/  User Group  etc. with at least  50%  women  members  to  ensure community  participation. Margdarshika for Gram Panchayats & VWSCs has been shared with States/ UTs, to facilitate planning & implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in villages.

JJM  Operational  Guidelines  also  envisages  preparation  of  Village  Action  Plan  (VAP)  by Gram Panchayat or its sub-committee with support from Implementation Support Agencies (ISAs),  Public  Health  Engineering  /  Rural  Water  Supply  Department,  District  Water  and Sanitation Mission (DWSM) based on baseline survey, resource mapping and felt needs of the village community. This ensures the involvement of communities right from the beginning.

Further,  community  stakeholders  are  also  trained  on  their  involvement  at  various  stages  of implementation of JJM in States/UTs including preparation of Village Action Plans.

During  review  meetings  of  JJM  with  States/UTs  held  at  various  levels,  progress  made  in formation of VWSCs/ Pani Samitis, preparation of Village Action Plans are also monitored by this  Department.  Out  of  6,01,463  villages,  as  reported  by  States/UTs  as  on  22.07.2022, subcommittees  of  Gram  Panchayat  are  formed  in  5,03,594  villages  and  4,67,795  Village Action Plans have been prepared.

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