As a significant step towards strengthening rural drinking water service delivery, reform-linked Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 were signed today with the states of Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Goa following the approval of JJM 2.0 by the Union Cabinet on 10 March 2026.
The MoUs were signed during separate scheduled meetings held via video conference, in the presence of the Union Minister of Jal Shakti, C.R. Patil, who joined each meeting virtually.
The MoU with the state of Goa was signed and exchanged between Swati Meena Naik, Joint Secretary (Water), DDWS, Ministry of Jal Shakti, and Sarpreet Singh Gill, Commissioner Cum Secretary (Water Resources), Govt. of Goa, in the virtual presence of Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant and Subhash Phal Dessai, Minister of Social Welfare, Drinking Water, Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, River Navigation, Government of Goa.
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister of Jal Shakti, C. R. Patil, said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the goal of “Har Ghar Jal” is today becoming a powerful instrument of transformation in the lives of people across rural India. With the objective of “Har Ghar Jal, Har Gram Sujal”, Jal Jeevan Mission has emerged as a people‑centric movement aimed at enhancing dignity, health and empowerment in rural areas.
The provision of tap water supply has not only made daily life more convenient but has also freed women from the drudgery of fetching water, enabling them to access time and opportunities for self‑development. Access to clean and safe drinking water strengthens health outcomes, improving sanitation and reinforcing social dignity across communities.
Referring to recent Parliamentary deliberations, reiterated that the Union Government follows a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and emphasized that quality, transparency and accountability must guide all works undertaken under Jal Jeevan Mission and urged both States to ensure strict adherence to quality standards so that assets created remain functional and sustainable over the long term.
While addressing state‑specific contexts, Patil acknowledged Gujarat’s consistent execution and leadership, Haryana’s exemplary administrative coordination and technology‑driven transparency, Himachal Pradesh’s drinking water services in challenging hilly terrain and freezing climatic conditions, and Chhattisgarh’s focus on accelerating coverage in lagging districts such as Jashpur, Sukma and Bijapur, while strengthening recharge systems and multi‑village schemes.
He also appreciated Goa for effectively implementing the programme and ensuring safe drinking water access across the State through the Jal Jeevan Mission. The leadership of the Chief Minister and the efforts of state officials were acknowledged. In a coastal State like Goa, surrounded by ocean waters, the provision of clean drinking water despite saline conditions demonstrates a strong commitment to reliable service delivery.
Patil further stated that Jal Jeevan Mission is not merely a scheme, but a life‑impacting mission that is bringing about fundamental improvements in health, dignity and quality of life, particularly for women and rural communities. Thus, regular and continuous drinking water supply must be ensured in every village, and public grievances should be addressed promptly.
Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant emphasised the importance of service delivery beyond infrastructure creation. He highlighted the need to ensure reliability, water quality and long-term functionality of systems. He further stated that the signing of the MoU will strengthen last mile connectivity, institutional accountability and convergence at the local level. Underscoring the role of Panchayats, he highlighted ongoing efforts to empower local bodies in managing operation and maintenance, promoting community ownership and ensuring financial sustainability of rural water supply systems.
The reform‑linked MoU mandates a Gram Panchayat‑led, service‑based and community‑centered model of rural water governance, aligned with the objectives of Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0.
The extension of Jal Jeevan Mission up to December 2028, with enhanced financial outlay, seeks to restructure and reorient the programme towards assured service delivery, with a focused emphasis on functionality, water quality, source sustainability and community ownership, thereby establishing JJM 2.0 as a robust and sustainable national model for rural drinking water services.
The reform‑linked MoU seeks to ensure that every rural household has access to drinking water supply in adequate quantity and of prescribed quality on a regular basis, through strengthened community participation (Jan Bhagidari) and bringing in structural reforms for sustainable operation and maintenance of rural water supply systems, thereby enhancing the living standards of rural communities contributing to long‑term water security aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
