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Milestones of India's Jal Jeevan Mission in Rural Water Supply

Enhancing Water Accessibility in Rural India

Milestones of India's Jal Jeevan Mission in Rural Water Supply

  • 27 Aug, 2023
  • 420

Recent Achievements of India's Jal Jeevan Mission

The Jal Jeevan Mission has marked a significant milestone in India’s rural water supply, with two out of every three rural households now enjoying functional piped water connections. This initiative reflects the dedication towards improving water accessibility in rural regions.

Mission Focus and Objectives

The primary aim of the Jal Jeevan Mission is to provide tap water connections to all 194.2 million rural households across India by the end of 2024. The mission seeks to ensure that every individual has access to 55 liters of clean water per day, thereby promoting better health and hygiene.

Progress So Far

As of now, approximately 66.80% of rural households, totaling around 128.5 million, have operational tap water connections. This achievement marks a substantial increase from the mere 17% recorded in 2019, showcasing the rapid progress made in enhancing water supply.

Improvements in Local Value Addition

One notable transformation under this mission is the increase in local value addition, which now averages over 15%. This represents a significant improvement from the single-digit figures observed eight years ago, reflecting enhanced economic activity in rural areas.

Future Goals and Challenges

The Jal Jeevan Mission aims to accelerate the development of water infrastructure, especially in lagging states and aspirational districts grappling with socio-economic challenges. The mission also emphasizes the importance of international collaboration for adopting advanced water sector technology solutions.

Denmark-UNOPS Partnership

The partnership between Denmark and UNOPS is a strategic move to support the Jal Jeevan Mission in Uttar Pradesh. This collaboration focuses on providing technical assistance and scalable models in water-scarce districts, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of the mission.

Funding Allocation

Funds for the Jal Jeevan Mission are allocated based on geographical and demographic criteria. For instance, Union Territories without a legislature receive 100% funding, while other states follow a 50:50 funding ratio, ensuring equitable distribution of resources.

Importance of Long-term Water Availability

Experts emphasize the need to ensure long-term availability of water sources beyond mere connectivity. Sustaining these sources is critical for the overall success of the mission and for the communities that depend on them.

Impact on Employment and Rural Development

The Jal Jeevan Mission has played a vital role in generating both direct and indirect employment opportunities in rural areas. Preliminary surveys indicate significant employment generation during the mission’s five-year implementation phase, contributing to local economies.

In conclusion, India's Jal Jeevan Mission has made remarkable strides in providing piped water connections to rural households, significantly enhancing water access, and emphasizing sustainability along with employment generation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the Jal Jeevan Mission's main aim?
Answer: The Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide tap water connections to all rural households in India by 2024, ensuring access to 55 liters of clean water per person per day.

Q2. How much progress has been made in rural water supply?
Answer: As of now, 66.80% of rural households have operational tap water connections, a significant increase from 17% in 2019.

Q3. What challenges does the Jal Jeevan Mission face?
Answer: The mission focuses on improving water infrastructure in lagging states and aspirational districts while emphasizing sustainable practices and international collaboration for technology solutions.

Q4. How does the Denmark-UNOPS partnership support the mission?
Answer: The partnership aims to provide technical assistance and scalable delivery models in water-scarce districts, enhancing the mission's effectiveness in Uttar Pradesh.

Q5. What is the impact of the mission on employment?
Answer: The Jal Jeevan Mission has created both direct and indirect employment opportunities in rural areas, significantly contributing to local economies during its implementation phase.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: What is the primary goal of the Jal Jeevan Mission?
A) To provide electricity to rural households
B) To ensure access to clean drinking water
C) To improve sanitation facilities
D) To promote agricultural practices
Correct Answer: B

Question 2: How much of the rural population has access to piped water as of now?
A) 50%
B) 66.80%
C) 75%
D) 80%
Correct Answer: B

Question 3: Which partnership supports the Jal Jeevan Mission in Uttar Pradesh?
A) India-UNDP partnership
B) Denmark-UNOPS partnership
C) USAID partnership
D) World Bank partnership
Correct Answer: B

Question 4: What is the funding ratio for states without a legislature under the Jal Jeevan Mission?
A) 100%
B) 75%
C) 50:50
D) 30%
Correct Answer: A

Question 5: What is a key challenge for the Jal Jeevan Mission?
A) Lack of community awareness
B) Accelerating water infrastructure development
C) Insufficient funding
D) Limited government support
Correct Answer: B

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