In a major policy decision aimed at transforming rural India, the Modi Government on Tuesday approved the extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). This flagship program, launched in 2019, aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections to all households in rural India.

While the original target was to achieve full coverage by 2024, the Union Cabinet decided to extend the timeline to ensure that states with challenging terrains or slower progress can successfully complete the infrastructure. Currently, more than 14 crore rural households (approx. 75%) have been covered. The extension will focus on the remaining pockets, particularly in states like West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. This move is expected to significantly improve public health and ease the daily struggle for water, particularly for women in rural belts.