Centre Signs Reform-Linked MoUs with Andaman & Nicobar Islands and West Bengal under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0

📌 Summary:

• UT of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and State of West Bengal signed Reform-Linked MoUs with the Union Government on 18 May 2026, advancing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 rollout
• MoUs mandate a Gram Panchayat-led, service-based and community-centered model of rural water supply governance aligned with Viksit Bharat @2047
• Union Minister Jal Shakti Shri C.R. Patil and MoS Shri V. Somanna signed alongside DDWS Secretary Shri Ashok K.K. Meena
• A&N MoU signed in virtual presence of LG Admiral D.K. Joshi; West Bengal MoU signed in presence of CM Shri Suvendu Adhikari at CM''s office
• JJM original deadline (May 2024) has been extended to December 2028 for 100% tap water coverage
• A&N achieved 100% rural tap water coverage in 2021 and ''Har Ghar Jal'' certification; pilot under JJM 2.0 completed in Sippighat Gram Panchayat
• Mission framed as people-centric movement enhancing dignity, health and empowerment of rural communities, particularly women
• Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) central to community-led infrastructure management

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 — Centre-State cooperative federalism through reform-linked MoUs; flagship welfare scheme implementation; decentralised water governance through PRIs; GS3 — rural infrastructure and women''s empowerment

📝 Prelims Facts:

• JJM launched on 15 August 2019; goal of ''Har Ghar Jal''
• JJM 2.0 deadline extended to December 2028
• Implementing Ministry: Jal Shakti; nodal department — DDWS (Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation)
• A&N Islands achieved 100% rural household tap water coverage in 2021
• VWSC = Village Water and Sanitation Committee — community-led body under JJM
• Union Jal Shakti Minister (2026): Shri C.R. Patil

🔑 Key Term: Reform-Linked MoU — performance-based agreement between Union and State/UT under JJM 2.0 mandating decentralised community-led service-model water governance via Gram Panchayats and VWSCs