Lok Sabha Question No. 4489 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-27
Subject: Tap Water Connections under JJM in Odisha
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Baijayant Panda

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4489 ANSWERED ON 27/03/2025

## TAP WATER CONNECTIONS UNDER JJM IN ODISHA

## 4489.   SHRI BAIJAYANT PANDA:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of households in which tap water connections installed under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in the eastern part of the country, particularly in Odisha;
- (b) the measures taken/being taken by the Government to create awareness about water conservation including campaigns and initiatives at the community level;
- (c) whether the Government has established any standards to check the quality of tap water provided under the scheme and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA)

- (a) Since August, 2019, Government of India is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in partnership  with  States/  UTs  to  make  provision  of  potable  tap  water  supply  in  adequate quantity, of prescribed quality and on regular & long-term basis to every rural household in the country. The state-wise details of tap water connections, as on 24.03.2025, in the eastern part of the country including Odisha, are given below:

(Nos. in lakhs)

| S. No.   | State/ UT   | Total rural HHs   | Rural HHs with tap water connection as on 15.08.2019   | Rural HHs with tap water connection as on 15.08.2019   | Rural HHs with tap water connections as on 24.03.2025   | Rural HHs with tap water connections as on 24.03.2025   |
|----------|-------------|-------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|
| S. No.   | State/ UT   | Total rural HHs   | No.                                                    | In%                                                    | No.                                                     | In%                                                     |
| 1.       | Bihar       | 167.55            | 3.16                                                   | 1.89                                                   | 160.36                                                  | 95.71                                                   |
| 2.       | Jharkhand   | 62.55             | 3.45                                                   | 5.52                                                   | 34.29                                                   | 54.81                                                   |
| 3.       | Odisha      | 88.69             | 3.11                                                   | 3.51                                                   | 67.94                                                   | 76.59                                                   |
| 4.       | West Bengal | 175.56            | 2.15                                                   | 1.23                                                   | 96.69                                                   | 55.07                                                   |

Source: JJM dashboard

(b) Water  is  a  state  subject  and  therefore,  the  primary  responsibility  for  planning  and implementing piped water supply schemes to provide tap water to rural households, lies with the  respective  State/UT  Governments.  Government  of  India  supplements  the  efforts  of  the states by providing technical and financial assistance under JJM.

Apart from creating piped water supply infrastructure in rural areas, JJM also aims at building capacities of different stakeholders especially local communities, responsible and responsive leadership to own, manage, operate and maintain in-village water supply systems. For this, JJM has made provision of up to 5% of annual allocation to the states as support activities fund. This  fund  is  utilized  by  the  states  for  various  support  activities  which inter-alia includes Information,  Education  and  Communication  (IEC)  activities  aimed  at  bringing  positive behavioural changes among stakeholders with respect to judicious use of water, health and hygiene  aspects.  All  the  States/  UTs  have  been  advised  to  promote  IEC  activities  among stakeholders to make JJM a ' Jan Andolan'.

Further, Ministry of Jal Shakti has launched various editions of Jal Shakti Abhiyaan - Catch the Rain (JSA-CTR) campaign which focus on water conservation and rainwater harvesting structures, renovation of traditional water bodies, reuse and recharge structures.  Recently, on the 22 March 2025, the new edition of Jal Shakti Abhiyan was launched across the country themed 'Peoples' Action for Water Conservation - Towards Intensified Community Connect' with  special  emphasis  on  148  focus  districts.  The  initiative  promotes  water  conservation, rainwater harvesting, and sustainable resource management through community participation and scientific interventions.

(c) Under JJM, as  per  existing  guidelines,  Bureau  of  Indian  Standards'  BIS:10500  are adopted as benchmark  for  quality  of  water  being  supplied  through  the  piped  water  supply schemes. Further,  BIS  specifies  'acceptable  limit  'and  'permissible  limit  in  the  absence  of alternate source for various physio-chemical and bacteriological parameters for drinking water quality.

(d) Doesn't arise.

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