Reform-linked MoU signed with Sikkim under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0

📌 Summary:

• The Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, signed a reform-linked Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the State of Sikkim under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0
• The MoU mandates a Gram Panchayat-led, service-based and community-centred (Jan Bhagidari) model of rural water governance, with structural reforms for sustainable operation and maintenance (O&M) of rural water supply systems
• Goal: every rural household gets drinking water in adequate quantity and prescribed quality on a regular basis, advancing long-term water security aligned with Viksit Bharat @2047
• Signed in presence of Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil and Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang
• JJM 2.0 priorities: sustaining infrastructure created under the Mission, functionality of tap connections, water quality, source sustainability, O&M, community ownership and regular monitoring; State urged to prepare District Improvement Plans, notify an O&M policy with all 19 essential points, and complete Sujal Gram ID and Sujalam Bharat ID creation

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 — government schemes, Centre-State cooperation, water governance; GS3 — rural infrastructure

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Jal Jeevan Mission was launched in 2019 to provide Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) to all rural households
• Implemented by the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti
• Jan Bhagidari = community participation

🔑 Key Term: Reform-linked MoU — an agreement that ties continued central support/funding to the State adopting specified governance and sustainability reforms.