Cabinet Approves Jal Jeevan Mission Two Point Zero and Releases Funds

06 Apr 2026 CW Team

State and Union Territory governments have begun signing reform-linked memorandums of understanding with the National Jal Jeevan Mission, and twelve States have signed so far. The Union Minister of Jal Shakti chaired a meeting on 13 March to review implementation, urged timely completion and strengthened monitoring, and the operational guidelines were e-released on 22 March.

A total amount of Rs 15,615.3 million (mn) has been released for 2025–26 after mandatory compliance conditions were met. The allocations are Rs 7,929.3 mn for Uttar Pradesh, Rs 5,365.3 mn for Chhattisgarh, Rs 1,540.2 mn for Madhya Pradesh, Rs 653.1 mn for Odisha and Rs 127.4 mn for Maharashtra.

The Ministry requires structured validations before funds are released. These include signing of the MoU, scheme validation against the Sujalam Bharat GIS-linked asset registry, certification of CPHEEO design norm compliance and technical advisories, and proper financial reconciliation of scheme expenditure.

The mission aims to ensure potable tap water for every rural household. At the start in August 2019 only 32.3 million households or 16.7 per cent had tap connections. Since then over 125.9 million additional rural households have been provided connections so that out of about 193.6 million rural households around 158.3 million, or about 81.8 per cent, now have tap water.

The reorientation emphasises accountability, transparency, digital monitoring and community ownership, with annual Jal Utsav campaigns and Gram Panchayat-level reviews through Jal Seva Aankalan and the Meri Panchayat application. Sujalam Bharat has generated 177,156 Sujal Gaon IDs linked to 113,849 scheme IDs to enable end-to-end tracking and support Gram Panchayat commissioning through the Jal Arpan process.

The Union Cabinet approved Jal Jeevan Mission two point zero on 10 March 2026, shifting the mission from an infrastructure-centred approach to a service delivery model with strengthened drinking water governance and an institutional ecosystem for sustainable rural piped potable water supply. The Cabinet approved a total outlay of eight point six nine trillion (tn) and total central assistance of three point five nine trillion (tn), up from two point zero eight trillion (tn). State and Union Territory governments have begun signing reform-linked memorandums of understanding with the National Jal Jeevan Mission, and twelve States have signed so far. The Union Minister of Jal Shakti chaired a meeting on 13 March to review implementation, urged timely completion and strengthened monitoring, and the operational guidelines were e-released on 22 March. A total amount of Rs 15,615.3 million (mn) has been released for 2025–26 after mandatory compliance conditions were met. The allocations are Rs 7,929.3 mn for Uttar Pradesh, Rs 5,365.3 mn for Chhattisgarh, Rs 1,540.2 mn for Madhya Pradesh, Rs 653.1 mn for Odisha and Rs 127.4 mn for Maharashtra. The Ministry requires structured validations before funds are released. These include signing of the MoU, scheme validation against the Sujalam Bharat GIS-linked asset registry, certification of CPHEEO design norm compliance and technical advisories, and proper financial reconciliation of scheme expenditure. The mission aims to ensure potable tap water for every rural household. At the start in August 2019 only 32.3 million households or 16.7 per cent had tap connections. Since then over 125.9 million additional rural households have been provided connections so that out of about 193.6 million rural households around 158.3 million, or about 81.8 per cent, now have tap water. The reorientation emphasises accountability, transparency, digital monitoring and community ownership, with annual Jal Utsav campaigns and Gram Panchayat-level reviews through Jal Seva Aankalan and the Meri Panchayat application. Sujalam Bharat has generated 177,156 Sujal Gaon IDs linked to 113,849 scheme IDs to enable end-to-end tracking and support Gram Panchayat commissioning through the Jal Arpan process.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Jul 2026

ABS Marine Sees CRISIL Credit Rating Upgrade

ABS Marine Services has secured an upgrade to its long term and short term credit ratings from CRISIL, reflecting improved profitability and revenue growth through long term contracts. CRISIL moved the long term rating from BBB+/Stable to A-/Stable and revised the short term rating from A2 to A2+. The action signals strengthened financial metrics and operational resilience. The company benefited from durable client relationships with firms such as ONGC and Schlumberger. The rating decision followed stronger cash flows and an enlarged bank loan facility, which increased from Rs 3,705 million (m..

Infrastructure Transport

06 Jul 2026

Project BRAHMANK Marks 16 Years Of Strategic Roads In Arunachal

Project BRAHMANK is marking 16 years of work to establish strategic road and bridge links across Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining and developing 811 kilometres of roads and nearly 86 bridges that range from small culverts to large steel and arch bridges. These transport links are described as critical for ensuring year-round movement of defence personnel, equipment and essential supplies while improving everyday travel for people in remote villages. The project balances national security requirements with regional development by focusing on reliable access in challenging terrain. Notable enginee..

Infrastructure Transport

06 Jul 2026

Longleng CSOs Give One Week Ultimatum Over Two-Lane Highway

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Longleng district have demanded immediate restoration of the deteriorating Changtongya–Longleng two-lane road and sought a detailed status report on the stalled construction within one week. The demand followed a consultative meeting convened under the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) to discuss welfare and development concerns. PPC president YB Angam Phom said prolonged non-maintenance had caused hardship to commuters and affected transportation, local commerce and the district's development. The meeting urged authorities to undertake immediate restoration a..