Meghalaya has become the twelfth State to sign a reform linked memorandum of understanding under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) two point zero, entering the implementation framework approved on 10 March 2026. The MoU was signed with the Union Minister of Jal Shakti present and the Chief Minister participating virtually. Senior officials from the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) and Meghalaya’s public health engineering department attended.

The agreement focuses on sustainable service delivery rather than only on pipelines, stressing decentralisation and community ownership through Gram Panchayats and Village Water and Sanitation Committees. District Water and Sanitation Missions will prepare village level action plans and facilitate panchayat certification with district administrations. District administrations heading DWSMs will oversee implementation and provide support.

Officials linked the MoU to the national objective of a water secure India and the Viksit Bharat at 2047 vision. The Centre extended the deadline for universal household tap connections to December 2028 and announced an additional outlay of Rs 1,510,000 mn for the mission, with about Rs 673,000 mn in the Union Budget for 2025–26. Detailed project reports from the State are under examination and have been urged to conform to technical norms and standards.

Union officials noted about 83 per cent rural tap water coverage under the mission, while the Chief Minister stated 83.59 per cent since launch and recalled a comprehensive water policy adopted in 2019 and a climate council. The State acknowledged operation and maintenance challenges and affirmed its readiness to assume responsibility for sustainable service delivery. Meghalaya committed to implement the MoU provisions and to work with the Centre to safeguard quantity and quality.

Emphasis was placed on sustainability measures including water conservation under Jal Sanchay and strategic use of rural employment funds to augment sources. The reform linked MoU seeks strengthened community participation and structural reforms to ensure every rural household receives drinking water of adequate quantity and prescribed quality on a regular basis.