Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Rashtriya Jal Jeevan Kosh (RJJK) to facilitate contributions for the creation of safe drinking water supply in villages. This is a part of the flagship Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), launched by PM Modi in 2019.

RJJK is a registered public charitable trust set up by the department of drinking water and sanitation, under the ministry of jal shakti. It has been set up to serve as a receptacle for charitable contributions/donations and to facilitate such contributions for creation of safe drinking water supply in villages.

The contribution can also be made for providing tap water in schools, Anganwadi centres, tribal residential schools and health-cum-wellness centres, according to a release by the government.

Major aims of RJJK

The Jal Jeevan Kosh will promote research and development, innovation and use of technology in ensuring tap water in rural households. It will also help build the capacity of the local village community to plan, implement, manage, operate and maintain their water supply schemes.

RJJK will further promote water conservation efforts, augmentation/strengthening of drinking water sources, grey water treatment and re-use to enhance water security.

The government said that the audit of RJJK account will be carried out annually by an independent auditor from a panel of auditors empanelled with Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).

The Centre has said that donations to “Rashtriya Jal Jeevan Kosh” are eligible for 50 per cent deduction under section 80G of the Income Tax Act. This is applicable for the assessment year 2021-22 and subsequent years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched the Jal Jeevan Mission mobile application; the app provides all details about the mission such as how many households received water, quality of water etc will be available in one place on the mobile application. The application aims to improve awareness among stakeholders and for greater transparency and accountability of schemes under the Jal Jeevan mission.

Jal Jeevan Mission is envisioned to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024 to all households in rural India.

The programme will also implement source sustainability measures as mandatory elements, such as recharge and reuse through grey water management, water conservation, rain water harvesting. The Jal Jeevan Mission will be based on a community approach to water and will include extensive Information, Education and communication as a key component of the mission.