Lok Sabha Question No. 1674 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-05
Subject: Adequate Water Supply
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Vishaldada Prakashbapu Patil

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1674

ANSWERED ON 05/12/2024

## ADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY

## 1674. SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government intends to implement any strategies to ensure adequate water supply as the shortcomings noted in the National Report of Functionality Assessment 2022 that the State-wise variations in the supply of water to households with functional house-tap connections with average duration of water supply of three hours per day;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(c) the measures taken/being taken by the Government to address the gap between actual water delivery to households and certification for completion of work?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c)  Since  August  2019,  Government  of  India,  in  partnership  with  States,  is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) - Har Ghar Jal to make provision of tap water supply to every rural household in the country.

Water is a state subject. The responsibility of planning, approval, implementation, operation, and maintenance (O&M) of drinking water supply schemes lies with State/UT Governments. The Government of India supports the States by providing technical and financial assistance.

Under JJM, this department regularly conducts 'Functionality Assessment of tap connections'  through  an  independent  3 rd party  agency.  The  last  such  assessment  was completed in 2022.

The reports of the functionality assessment survey are shared with States/ UTs for taking corrective  measures  as  early  as  possible.  Besides,  during  regular  review  meetings/ workshops, States/ UTs are requested to take measures to improve the functionality of the schemes.  During  field  visits  also,  the  functionality  of  the  schemes  are  reviewed  and observations are shared with States/ UTs accordingly.

Apart from above, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation also obtained call-based feedback  from  JJM  beneficiaries  through  a  3 rd party  agency.  Based  on  a  pre-defined questionnaire, the feedbacks were taken from beneficiaries in States through phone calls and

findings of the same were shared with States/ UTs for taking corrective measures.

In Oct, 2022, the 'Jal Jeevan Survekshan (JJS)' was launched by the Hon'ble Vice President of India to assess districts and States/UTs on their performance in achieving the objectives of the JJM. The overarching purpose is to motivate and bring healthy competition among the districts and recognizing the efforts of the top performing districts periodically. Under JJS, the monthly, quarterly and annual national ranking of districts were published as per the predefined criteria. To motivate the districts to get the villages certified as 'Har Ghar Jal', under a particular category, the criteria of HGJ certification was also given weightage in calculation of the score of the district.

As per Operational Guidelines of JJM, after making provision of tap connections to all rural households  in  a  village,  the  Department  implementing  the  scheme  provides  completion certificate to Gram Panchayat and marks the village as 'Har Ghar Jal' village on JJM-IMIS. Subsequently,  Gram  Sabha  while  reading  out  aloud  the  work  completion  report  in  its meeting, formally passes resolution certifying itself as 'Har Ghar Jal' village. The copy of certificate provided by implementing department, resolution passed by Gram Sabha, and a small video capturing the Gram Sabha is reflected on JJM Dashboard and village is marked certified in JJM- IMIS. As such, certification is carried out only at village level and only after providing tap connections to all households in the village.

As reported by States/UTs, as on 02.12.2024, out of around 2.46 lakh villages reported as 'Har Ghar Jal', more than 1.46 lakh villages have been certified by the respective Gram Sabha.

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