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Himachal Signs Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 Pact to Boost Rural Water Supply

The Government of India and the Himachal Pradesh government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, extending the program until December 2028 with an enhanced financial outlay. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu highlighted the state's unique geographical challenges and higher construction costs, urging that norms for other states not be imposed on Himachal. He also requested the release of pending central funds amounting to Rs 1,227 crore for completed schemes. The restructured mission aims to ensure assured service delivery with a focus on functionality, water quality, and community ownership of water supply schemes.

Key Points: Himachal Pradesh Signs Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 MoU for Rural Water

  • MoU signed for Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0
  • Focus on assured service delivery and water quality
  • CM urges release of Rs 1,227 crore pending funds
  • Mission extended till December 2028
2 min read

Himachal Pradesh signs pact to strengthen rural drinking water service

Himachal Pradesh signs MoU for Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, extending till 2028 with enhanced funding for rural drinking water services.

"The geographical conditions of Himachal Pradesh were challenging and should not be compared with other states. - Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu"

Shimla, March 20

As a significant step in the rural drinking water framework, a memorandum of understanding for Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 was signed on Friday between the government of India and the Himachal Pradesh government in New Delhi.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil attended the event virtually.

On behalf of the State, Secretary (Jal Shakti Vibhag) Abhishek Jain was present, while Joint Secretary Swati Nayak signed the MoU on behalf of the Government of India.

JJM 2.0 will be implemented till December 2028 with an enhanced outlay and restructured framework, focusing on structural reforms in the rural drinking water supply sector.

At present, priority is being given to all single village schemes (SVS), including those for which states and Union Territories have already incurred advance expenditure.

On the occasion, Chief Minister Sukhu said that the geographical conditions of Himachal Pradesh were challenging and should not be compared with other states, as the cost of construction in hilly areas was significantly higher.

He emphasised that norms applicable to other states should not be imposed on Himachal Pradesh. He said that the state government was actively promoting the management and distribution of water supply schemes through Panchayati Raj Institutions.

CM Sukhu also urged the Union government to release the pending amount of Rs 1,227 crore under JJM, stating that work on several schemes has already been completed, but payments are yet to be released.

He said that the state government is committed to providing clean drinking water to every household and is working towards adopting advanced and modern technologies for water purification.

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.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priyanka N
Good to see the mission extended till 2028 with more funds. But the real test is on the ground. In my village in Uttarakhand (similar hills), pipes were laid but the water pressure is non-existent. Hope HP focuses on sustainable source and maintenance, not just laying infrastructure.
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Aman W
₹1227 crore pending is a huge amount! How can states work efficiently if funds are held back? Centre and states need better coordination. This delay affects the lives of ordinary people waiting for clean water. The MoU is good, but timely payment is better.
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Sarah B
Involving Panchayats is the key to long-term success. When the local community owns the water supply scheme, they will maintain it better. Hope the "community ownership" part of JJM 2.0 is given real teeth and training. A promising framework.
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Vikram M
As someone from the hills, I appreciate the focus on water quality and purification tech. Mountain water sources are fragile and get contaminated easily. Hope they use robust, low-maintenance tech suitable for remote areas. Jai Himachal! 🏔️
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Kiran H
While the intent is good, I have a respectful criticism. These announcements often sound great in Delhi, but implementation is patchy. We need transparent monitoring of where each rupee is spent, especially in challenging terrains. Accountability must be part of JJM 2.0.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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