The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has achieved full coverage in several gram panchayats across Chhattisgarh, with 64 in Kanker, 87 in Balod, 30 in Kondagaon, and 329 in Dhamtari districts now classified as Har Ghar Jal, meaning every household has access to tap water. As per data reported by states and union territories on the JJM Integrated Management Information System (IMIS), a total of 1,20,097 gram panchayats nationwide, including 2,001 in Chhattisgarh, have achieved this status. Additionally, 1,14,366 water supply schemes, including 4,515 in Chhattisgarh, have been transferred to community management. 

Despite this progress, 1,40,580 gram panchayats across India, including 9,645 in Chhattisgarh, still lack complete tap water supply. States have cited several challenges in implementation, including water scarcity in drought-prone and desert regions, groundwater contamination, difficult terrain, scattered rural populations, delays in the release of state funds, technical limitations among local authorities, rising raw material costs, and bureaucratic clearances. 

As water falls under the jurisdiction of state governments, the responsibility for planning and executing piped water supply schemes lies primarily with the respective states and union territories. The central government provides financial and technical support under JJM and forwards any grievances to the concerned state authorities for corrective action. Additionally, states have been advised to include penalty clauses in contracts to discourage delays in implementation. This information was shared by Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri V. Somanna, in a written response to a question in the Lok Sabha. 

(PIB)