Surat, February 2 (PTI) – The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has successfully provided tap water connections to 15.44 crore households, with the remaining 4.33 crore households expected to be covered by 2028, Union Minister CR Paatil announced on Sunday.
Highlighting the transformative impact of the initiative, Paatil stated that clean drinking water has saved the lives of nearly four lakh children by preventing infections caused by contaminated water.
Addressing the media in Surat, Paatil emphasized that 75 crore people have benefited from tap water connections under JJM, a program designed to ensure safe and adequate drinking water for every rural household in India.
Enhanced Budget Allocation for Jal Jeevan Mission
During the recent Budget 2025-26 announcement, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reaffirmed the government's commitment to achieving 100% tap water coverage by 2028. The Jal Jeevan Mission has now been extended till 2028 with a substantially increased allocation of ₹67,000 crore, up from ₹22,694 crore in the revised estimates of 2024-25.“The Jal Shakti Ministry has been granted ₹67,000 crore to accelerate the implementation of JJM, ensuring tap water access to all households,” Paatil confirmed.
Health and Economic Benefits of Clean Tap Water
Paatil also referenced a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), which estimates that the mission has helped India save ₹8.4 lakh crore that would have otherwise been spent on medical treatment for waterborne diseases.Additionally, he underscored the social impact of tap water availability, particularly for rural women, who are now spared the arduous task of walking long distances to fetch water. "Women can now spend more time with their families and engage in productive activities," he added.
India’s Economic Progress Reflected in Union Budget 2025-26
Shifting focus to the Union Budget 2025-26, Paatil pointed out the remarkable growth in India's financial planning under the Narendra Modi-led government. The latest budget outlay stands at ₹50 lakh crore, a stark contrast to the ₹16 lakh crore budget presented by the UPA government in 2013.He also highlighted the increased defence spending, noting that the allocation for the defence sector has grown to ₹6.81 lakh crore, compared to ₹5.61 lakh crore under the Congress-led regime. Furthermore, he praised the Modi government’s push for domestic defence production, reducing India's dependency on imported weaponry.
Tax Relief for Salaried Class
On the subject of taxation, Paatil emphasized that the budget offers significant relief to the salaried class. He claimed that an average family could save up to ₹1.5 lakh in taxes, making this the first budget where people’s earnings have increased rather than government revenues.Calling it a “please-all budget”, he asserted that the government has taken measures to benefit every section of society, ensuring financial relief and economic empowerment.
As the Jal Jeevan Mission progresses towards its 100% coverage goal by 2028, the Modi government continues to prioritize infrastructure development, health security, and economic growth, reinforcing India's march towards self-reliance.