- Historic step towards strengthening rural water supply system – Chief Minister Sai
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai today attended the MoU ceremony between the Centre and the State under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 in the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly through video conferencing. The MoU was signed and exchanged by officials in the virtual presence of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai and Union Jal Shakti Minister Shri CR Patil.
Addressing the event, Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that this initiative is historic in strengthening the state’s rural drinking water system. He added that, keeping in mind the goal of “Water for Every Home,” the MoU signed under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 will accelerate these initiatives. He informed that on March 10, 2026, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet approved the expanded phase of Jal Jeevan Mission, Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0. This phase will strengthen the water service delivery system and ensure public participation.
The Chief Minister informed that so far, more than 4.13 million rural families, or approximately 82.66 percent of households in the state, have been provided with tap connections. Mr. Sai said that the availability of pure drinking water in remote, forested, and tribal areas under the Jal Jeevan Mission has brought great relief to women who previously had to travel long distances for water.
He stated that under Mission 2.0, special emphasis will be placed on increasing community participation in water management at the village level and conserving water sources. The state government is also committed to strengthening water conservation, recharge, and the operation and maintenance of water conservation schemes. Chief Minister Sai stated that this MoU will develop a transparent and technology-based water service system, making water distribution in rural areas more systematic and robust.
The Chief Minister also requested the Union Minister for a special approval of ₹1,300 crore to further improve drinking water facilities in Naxal-affected areas. This approval will help provide drinking water to more than 3,000 villages in the state through 70 group water supply schemes. Finally, the Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Modi and expressed confidence that with everyone’s cooperation, Chhattisgarh will not only achieve the goal of “Water for Every Home” but will also set new standards in sustainable water management and rural water governance.
Union Jal Shakti Minister Shri C.R. Patil stated that today is a very important day, and that this MoU will ensure access to water in every household in Chhattisgarh through pipelines and structures. He stated that Gram Panchayats will have empowered powers under this agreement and will be responsible for the maintenance of these structures. Shri Patil stated that the district administration will monitor the Panchayat’s work and provide assistance when needed. He explained that today’s MoU is the result of a joint effort between the Jal Shakti Ministry and the Chhattisgarh government. This will realize Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s dream of providing clean and uninterrupted water to every household.
Deputy Chief Minister and Public Health Engineering Minister Shri Arun Saw, Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Shri Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretary Shri Rahul Bhagat, Secretary of Water Resources Department Shri Rajesh Toppo and other officials were present in the program.