Jal Jeevan outlay to be cut 60% this year, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) outlay is likely to be cut by almost 60%, from ₹67,000 crore in Budget 2025-26 to ₹17,000 crore in the revised estimates (RE).
• The Ministry of Finance has communicated the reduced outlay to the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• The scheme's extension until 2028 is awaiting Cabinet approval.
• Launched in August 2019, JJM aimed to provide 55 lpcd drinking water to all rural households by 2024.

Detailed Insights:

• The Finance Minister announced the extension of the JJM until 2028 in the Budget 2025-26, highlighting that 80% of rural households have been provided with tap water connections since 2019.
• In fiscal year 2024-25, the allocated amount was reduced from ₹70,163 crore to ₹22,694 crore at the revised estimate stage.
• Irregularities within the JJM led to government scrutiny in mid-2025, with changes in guidelines resulting in additional costs of ₹16,839 crore.
• In May 2025, over a hundred officials were sent for ground inspection, and the Prime Minister directed action against those involved in irregularities.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM): A government initiative to provide functional household tap connections (FHTC) for potable water to rural households.
• Outlay: The estimated amount of money allocated for a particular project or scheme in a budget.
• Revised Estimates (RE): A mid-year review of budget allocations, which may lead to adjustments based on actual expenditure and revised needs.