Lok Sabha Question No. 3415 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-12
Subject: Jal Jeevan Mission in West Bengal
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Smt. Pratima Mondal

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3415 ANSWERED ON 12/03/2026

## JAL JEEVAN MISSION IN WEST BENGAL

## 3415. SMT. PRATIMA MONDAL:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) the exact amount of the funds sanctioned, released and withheld for West Bengal under the Jal Jeevan Mission;

(b)  the  manner in which delays are consistent with the stated goal of universal household tap connectivity;

(c) the reasons for persistence of fluoride, arsenic and salinity contamination in several districts of the said State including parts of eastern India despite repeated commitment; and

(d) whether the Government has assessed that funding slowdowns in States like West Bengal are disproportionately affecting vulnerable rural and tribal populations and if so, the findings thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) Since August 2019, Government of India, in partnership with States, is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)-Har Ghar Jal to enable every rural household including West Bengal, in the  country  to  have  assured  potable  water  through  tap  connection.  Drinking  water  is  a  State subject,  and  hence,  the  responsibility  of  planning,  approval,  implementation,  operation,  and maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, including those under the Jal Jeevan Mission, lies with  the  respective  State/UT  Governments.  The  Government  of  India  supports  the  States  by providing technical and financial assistance.

As reported by State Govt. of West Bengal, at the start of the Mission, in August 2019, only 2.15 Lakh (1.22%) rural household were reported to have tap water connection. As on 09.03.2026, out of 1.75 crore rural household, around 99.50 lakh (56.69%) rural households have been provided tap water connection in West Bengal.

The details of Central fund allocated, and fund drawn by the State of West Bengal under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), is as under:

|         | Central share   | Central share   | Central share       | Central share   | Central share        |                   |
|---------|-----------------|-----------------|---------------------|-----------------|----------------------|-------------------|
| Year    | Opening Balance | Fund allocated  | Fund drawn by State | Available fund  | Reported utilization | State Expenditure |
| 2019-20 | 760.82          | 995.33          | 994.75              | 1,755.57        | 609.00               | 469.54            |
| 2020-21 | 1,146.58        | 1,614.18        | 807.08              | 1,953.66        | 1,196.07             | 641.17            |
| 2021-22 | 757.58          | 6,998.97        | 1,404.61            | 2,162.19        | 1,547.52             | 725.77            |
| 2022-23 | 614.67          | 6,180.25        | 3,090.12            | 3,704.79        | 1,953.73             | 3,204.21          |
| 2023-24 | 1,751.06        | 3,806.29        | 4,206.29            | 5,957.35        | 5,004.16             | 5,155.11          |
| 2024-25 | 953.19          | 5,049.98        | 2,524.99            | 3,478.18        | 3,003.06             | 4,905.55          |
| 2025-26 | 475.13          | -               | -                   | 475.13          | -                    | -                 |
| Total   |                 | 24,645.00       | 13,027.84           | 13,788.66       | 13,313.54            | 15,101.35         |

## Source: JJM-IMIS

The Jal Jeevan Mission aims for universal rural tap connectivity, but execution rests with State Governments.  Central  funds  require  timely  project  proposals and  utilization certificates. Consequently,  administrative  delays  or  slow  execution  at  the  state  level  directly  hinder  fund releases, stalling the mission's goal of providing every household with functional water.

Under  JJM,  as  per  existing  guidelines,  Bureau  of  Indian  Standards'  BIS:10500  standards  are adopted as benchmark for quality of water being supplied through the piped water supply schemes. While  planning  water  supply  schemes  under  JJM  to  provide  tap  water  supply  to  households, priority is given to habitations affected by chemical contaminants. States/ UTs have been advised to plan and implement piped water supply schemes based on alternative safe water sources for the villages with water quality issues.

Further, under the JJM, States/ UTs have been advised to install community water purification plants (CWPPs) especially in Arsenic and Fluoride affected habitations to provide potable water to every household at the rate of 8-10 litre per capita per day (lpcd) to meet their drinking and cooking requirements till the commissioning of piped water supply schemes compliant to JJM standards. As reported by States on JJM-IMIS, as on date, all rural habitations of the country are provided safe drinking water free from Arsenic and Fluoride contamination.

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