THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, MARCH 24, 2026

Strengthening cooperative federalism to secure sustainable rural water supply, the Centre on Tuesday signed reform-linked Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the governments of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, reinforcing a structured roadmap for transparent, accountable and community-driven water governance across rural India.

The MoUs mark a significant step in accelerating reforms aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability of drinking water infrastructure, strengthening service delivery, and enhancing community participation in operation and maintenance of rural water supply systems. The agreements were signed in the presence of Union Minister of Jal Shakti C. R. Patil at the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti.

The MoU with Andhra Pradesh was formalised between Swati Meena Naik, Joint Secretary (Water), DDWS, and Shashi Bhushan Kumar, Special Chief Secretary to the Government of Andhra Pradesh. The event was attended virtually by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, along with senior officials of the state government, underscoring Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to achieving universal household tap water coverage within the stipulated timeline.

Marking another milestone in Centre-State collaboration, the MoU with Odisha was signed in the virtual presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Minister of Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Rabi Narayan Naik, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Development Commissioner, and other senior officials. The agreement was signed between Swati Meena Naik and Girish S.N, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department, and exchanged by Visal Gagan, Principal Resident Commissioner, Government of Odisha.

Addressing the gathering, Union Minister C. R. Patil emphasised that while crores of rural households have already received tap water connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission, the focus under JJM 2.0 is on bridging infrastructure gaps, covering the remaining households, and ensuring reliable, sustainable water supply systems. He highlighted the importance of formally handing over completed schemes to communities with proper documentation and strengthening community-led management frameworks for efficient operation and maintenance. Stressing the mission’s social impact, he noted that nearly nine crore women have been relieved from the burden of fetching water, enabling greater participation in education and economic activities. He also underscored the Prime Minister’s emphasis on water-use efficiency through pipeline-based irrigation, drip irrigation, and source sustainability initiatives under the spirit of “Jal Sanchay se Jan Bhagidari”.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reaffirmed Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to the mission, stating that the extension of the programme timeline has enabled the state to advance towards universal household tap water coverage. He described the initiative as a transformative step for improving public health, quality of life, and rural development, and reiterated the state’s focus on sustainable and reliable service delivery with strong community participation.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi termed the MoU a significant milestone in advancing the vision of “Har Ghar Jal” and contributing to the national goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047. He highlighted the state’s focus on community participation, financial sustainability, and effective monitoring under JJM 2.0, supported by a comprehensive operation and maintenance framework. The Chief Minister also pointed to key digital initiatives, including registration of water supply assets on the Sujal Bharat platform and allocation of unique Sujal Gram IDs to enhance transparency and accountability. Citizen-centric services are being strengthened through the Basudha helpline and WhatsApp interface, while Village Water and Sanitation Committees continue to promote Jan Bhagidari in rural water governance.

Appreciating Odisha’s progress, the Union Minister lauded the state’s efforts in strengthening digital monitoring systems, advancing water conservation initiatives under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, and expanding citizen grievance redressal mechanisms that enhance community participation and service delivery outcomes.

The reform-linked MoUs aim to ensure that every rural household receives adequate and safe drinking water on a regular basis through strengthened community participation and structural reforms that support sustainable operation and maintenance of water supply systems. The initiative is expected to significantly improve living standards in rural areas, strengthen long-term water security, and contribute to the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.