Lok Sabha Question No. 2115 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-12
Subject: Data Authenticity and Verification in JJM Reporting
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Adv. Chandra Shekhar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. - 2115

ANSWERED ON 12/02/2026

## DATA AUTHENTICITY AND VERIFICATION IN JJM REPORTING

## 2115. ADV. CHANDRA SHEKHAR

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) the actions taken by the Government on the authenticity of data uploaded by States on the IMIS portal including the verification mechanisms implemented and any independent audits conducted as on January 2026;

(b)  the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  resolve  issues  of  inflated  coverage  figures, absence of annual functionality assessments and discrepancies between reported and ground realities; and

(c)  the  response  of  the  Government  to  the  World  Bank's  emphasis  on  reliable  data  for sustainable  water  security  and  best  practices  from  Australia's  Murray-Darling  Basin  for transparent,  community-verified  reporting  to  ensure  accurate  progress  tracking  towards hundred per cent coverage by 2028?

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

This Department has developed Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) digital portal and mobile app for Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to strengthen transparency, data accuracy,  and  real-time  review.  To  ensure  the  authenticity  of  data  on  the  IMIS  portal,  the Department has implemented a multi-layered verification mechanism. This includes mandatory Aadhaar  seeding  of  beneficiaries,  Geo-tagging  of  assets  through  Sujalam  Bharat  App, Uploading  of  pipelines  on  PM-GatiShakti  Portal.  Furthermore,  the  Department  undertakes rigorous ground truthing exercises which involves:

(i) Functionality Assessment: Under JJM, this department regularly conducts 'Functionality Assessment of tap connections' through an independent 3rd party agency. Under the assessment exercise, the functionality of tap connection is assessed on three parameters i.e. quantity (55 lpcd or more), quality and regularity i.e. water supply for all 12 months in a year or on daily basis.  All  these  parameters  are  taken  to  define  the  functionality  of  the  HH  tap  water connections, as per specified criteria. The reports of the last functionality assessment is also available in public domain.

(ii) National Level Monitors (NLMs): Regular field visits by National Wash Experts, Central Nodal Officers, NJJM and NPMU members. NLMs to cross-verify reported progress against ground realities.

(iii) Jal  Seva  Aankalan: Launched  in  December  2025,  Jal  Seva  Aankalan  represents  a structured, Gram Panchayat-led framework designed to institutionalise village-level assessment of piped water supply systems. The initiative marks a shift from periodic, externally driven evaluations to a system of regular, community-validated self-assessment anchored in local governance and supported by digital platforms.

The  Government  is  fully  aligned  with  global  best  practices  regarding  sustainable  water security. To ensure transparent, community-verified reporting, JJM mandates the 'Har Ghar Jal' certification. Under this process, a village is only declared fully covered after a resolution is passed  by  the  Gram  Sabha,  confirming  that  every  household  is  receiving  water.  This community-centric approach ensures accountability and aligns with the principles of reliable data verification.

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