Lok Sabha Question No. 527 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-25
Subject: Funds to JJM in Kerala
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Dr. Shashi Tharoor

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 527 ANSWERED ON 25/07/2024

## FUNDS TO JJM IN KERALA

## 527.   DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is true that, despite the Government of Kerala's claim that they have released all the installments of their share towards the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), the Union Government has not disbursed Kerala's withheld dues for the financial year 2023-2024 and if so, the reasons therefor;

(b) whether the Union Government intends to disburse funds to Kerala under the JJM for the financial year 2024-2025;

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

(d) whether it is true that the primary reason for the inability of Kerala to implement the JJM, where only 52.09 percent of the connections have been made, is that clearances from the Union Ministries  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change,  Railways  and  Road  Transport  and Highways are not easily forthcoming, causing significant delays and if so, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## (SHRI V. SOMANNA)

(a) to (c) Government of India is committed to make provision for safe & potable tap water supply in adequate quantity, of prescribed quality and on a regular & long-term basis to all rural households in the country. Towards this end, the Government of India launched the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), to be implemented in partnership with States including Kerala, in August 2019. Significant  progress  has  been  made  in  the  country  since  the  launch  of  Jal  Jeevan  Mission, towards enhancing access to tap water to rural households. At the start of Jal Jeevan Mission in August 2019, only 3.23 Crore rural households were reported to have tap water connections. So  far,  as  reported  by  States/  UTs  as  on  22.07.2024,  around  11.76  Crore  additional  rural households have been provided with tap water connections under JJM. Thus, as on 23.07.2024, out of 19.32 Crore rural households in the country, over 15 Crore (77.63%) rural households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes.

As reported by the State Government of Kerala, at the time of launch of Jal Jeevan Mission in the  State  on  15 th August  2019,  approximately  16.64  lakh  rural  households  had  tap  water connections. Since then, 21.12 lakhs additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections. Thus, as on 23.07.2024, the provision of tap water supply is available to around 37.76 lakhs (53.29%) rural households in Kerala.

In  2023-24,  out  of  annual  allocation  of  Rs.1,342.36  Cr.,  the  State  of  Kerala  drew  its  first instalment of Rs.671.18 Crore on 31.10.2023. The State released the required State share on 22.03.2024. In 2024-25, the State has been allocated an amount of Rs. 1,949.36 Crore out of which the State has drawn Rs. 584.81 Crore so far.

(d)  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. Government of India supplements the efforts of the States by providing technical and financial assistance under JJM.

To monitor the implementation of JJM, Government of India takes various measures such as holding joint review meetings with the State Government on regular basis and visits of multidisciplinary teams from the Department to highlight areas of concern such as need to strengthen project planning, implementation, monitoring and to expedite the implementation in a mission mode  to  make  provision  of  tap  water  supply  to  rural  all  households.  During  such  review meetings, the State Government of Kerala has informed that one of the reasons for delay in the award of works for JJM is difficulties in land acquisition for the various components of the new water supply schemes. The State government has also informed that various clearances from forest, NHAI, Railways, Ministry of Road & Transport Highways are pending with respect to drinking water project/ schemes which have also affected the implementation of JJM in the State. The Department has a special cell for supporting state governments in coordinating and following-up with these agencies/ authorities for timely clearances. A separate provision has been created in JJM IMIS in this regard. Special orientation sessions have been carried out with the State Officers on NHAI, Railways and Forest Clearances.

As reported by the State Government of Kerala, as on 23.07.2024, the State has applied for 83 forest clearances to MoEFCC. Out of these, 62 have been granted, 2 are pending at regional office-GoI level and 10 are pending at State level. State has applied for 67 clearances to NHAI. Out of these, 38 have been granted, only 2 are pending at GoI level and 25 are pending at the State level. Further, State has applied for 92 clearances to Railways department, out of which 46 have been granted, 5 are pending at GoI level and 34 are pending at State level.

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