The Union Budget 2024–25 of India outlines key priorities and financial allocations aimed at improving the nation's social and economic conditions. This article focuses on the critical area of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), drawing insights from the detailed budget analysis conducted by the Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability (CBGA) titled "Revisiting the priorities: An analysis of Union Budget 2024–25."

The WASH sector continues to be a central focus in the Union Budget 2024–25, with substantial financial resources allocated to enhance access to clean water and sanitation facilities. The Ministry of Jal Shakti, through its flagship programs, the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), remains at the forefront of efforts to provide safe drinking water and improve sanitation infrastructure.

Within this framework, the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DoDWS) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) have made significant strides in expanding access to safe drinking water and enhancing sanitation infrastructure across both rural and urban India.

An analysis of the budget reveals a consistent increase in funding for the DoDWS, which accounts for 1.61% of the total budget. This aligns with the overall trend observed over the past five years. However, the challenge of scaling up financial commitments to meet the growing demands of the WASH sector persists, as the allocation for water and sanitation as a percentage of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has remained relatively unchanged. The sustainability of this budgetary trend beyond the achievement of JJM targets remains to be seen.

Access to clean water: Continued budgetary commitment to Jal Jeevan Mission

The Jal Jeevan Mission, initiated in 2019, has as its primary objective the provision of functional household tap connections (FHTCs) to every rural dwelling in India by the year 2024. This ambitious endeavour, aligned with the government's 'Har Ghar Jal' vision, has witnessed significant progress.

According to the latest data from the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation's Management Information System, the number of rural households with FHTCs has surged from 32.36 million in August 2019 to 139.69 million by December 2023. While states such as Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Telangana, and certain Union Territories have achieved complete coverage, states like Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and West Bengal are yet to reach this milestone. The national average stands at 72.5% coverage.

This substantial increase of 67% in rural households with access to tap water connections since the mission's inception translates to approximately 139.7 million households enjoying the convenience of in-premise tap water supply.

Reflecting its continued priority, the Jal Jeevan Mission has secured a modest increase in allocation within the Union Budget for 2024–25. While the majority of these funds are directed towards constructing the infrastructure necessary for delivering piped water to households, the critical challenge lies in ensuring the sustained availability and safety of this water supply once the infrastructure is in place.

The Standing Committee on Water Resources' 2022–23 report highlighted a significant discrepancy between the allocated funds for the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and the actual expenditure. This underutilisation of funds is evident in the gap between budgeted estimates, revised estimates, and the project's on-ground performance. Furthermore, the inconsistent utilisation of funds across different states, influenced by varying infrastructural and institutional capacities, complicates the issue. To ensure that substantial investments in the drinking water sector translate into tangible improvements in access to clean water and sanitation for all, particularly the most vulnerable populations, addressing these disparities is crucial.

Beyond tap connections: Fostering sustainability and community engagement in the Jal Jeevan Mission and Atal Bhujal Yojana

The Jal Jeevan Mission is crucial to achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 6, ensuring universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation. However, JJM's objectives extend beyond household tap connections, emphasising groundwater management and water quality. Community engagement in water management is essential, especially in water-scarce regions, making integration with schemes like the Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY) vital.

A comprehensive strategy involves integrating data for water usage, metering consumption, debating pricing for usage beyond limits, and empowering local stakeholders through capacity building and social mobilisation. Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) and community resource persons, like Anurakshaks in Bihar and Jal Sahiyyas in Jharkhand, exemplify effective community participation.

The ABY, launched in 2020 with a Rs 6,000 crore outlay, aims to enhance groundwater management in water-stressed regions. However, budget allocations have decreased, with Rs 1,778 crore allocated for 2024–25, highlighting the need for higher funding and strengthened capacities. Efficient water supply monitoring requires precise data and measurement, but challenges in water availability and quality data persist. The eJalShakti dashboard shows an average water supply of 250 litres per capita per day (LPCD), far exceeding JJM's recommended 55 LPCD, underscoring the need for rigorous data collection and analysis.

Water tariffs to reduce overuse have emerged as crucial for effective management. The Standing Committee on Water Resources (2022) highlighted subsidies for electricity and fertilisers, which encourage water-intensive crops even in water-scarce regions, calling for policy attention and sustainable agricultural practices. These measures should align with environmental conservation efforts, addressing the intricate connections between agriculture, water management, and sustainable development.

Transforming sanitation: The journey of the Swachh Bharat Mission and the challenges ahead

Launched in 2014, the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) has fundamentally transformed India's sanitation and hygiene landscape. Evolving from toilet construction to ensuring their sustained use, functionality, safety, and environmental sustainability, SBM has entered its second phase (SBM 2.0) since 2020. This phase aims to maintain the Open Defecation Free (ODF) status achieved in the first phase while addressing comprehensive solid and liquid waste management in all villages.

A significant budget is essential for this complex sanitation scenario, aiming to sustain and enhance the ODF status. According to the SBM dashboard, 442,574 villages still need to reach the ODF Plus category, emphasising the need for financial investment not only in infrastructure but also in maintaining community toilets. Despite this, the Union budget for 2024–25 has not increased SBM's funding from the previous year. SBM-Urban saw a 54% increase in 2023–24, but the current year's allocation remains static, even as Phase II strategically focuses on Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM).

The government plans to promote water supply, sewage treatment, and solid waste management projects in 100 bankable towns, yet this could exclude smaller towns. Funding for SBM-Gramin has been reduced by over 50% from 2016–17 to 2022–23. Actual spending has consistently fallen short of budgeted estimates, highlighting a gap between planned commitments and execution. The static budget allocation could signal a de-prioritization of implementation, which is concerning given SBM II's ambitious goals.

States face challenges, particularly in Scheduled areas, where local government departments struggle to convince institutions. This indicates a need to realign funding strategies to support the mission's critical objectives, especially in waste management. The SBM has exhibited variation between budget estimates and allocations, calling for better planning and forecasting. Underutilization of allocated funds underscores the necessity of refining operational strategies to meet the mission's ambitious objectives.

Key challenges include a lack of robust awareness within communities, capacity building, and training for local implementing bodies. Cultural barriers, particularly around menstrual hygiene and toilet usage, hinder behavioural change. Overcoming these barriers requires sustained community engagement and education campaigns. Geographical challenges further complicate SBM-II's implementation, especially in remote areas where consistent water supply is crucial.

Urban sanitation issues are exacerbated by disparities in service delivery between formal settlements and informal slums, where reliance on inconsistent water supplies undermines sustainability. In SBM-R Phase II, new SLWM interventions face capacity-building and inter-departmental coordination challenges, with funds divided between water and sanitation. Despite support for mechanical desludging and waste management, manual scavenging persists. The National Action Plan for Mechanised Ecosystem (NAMASTE) aims to abolish manual cleaning and support affected workers, yet gaps remain between initial budgets and revised figures.

The discontinuation of the Self-Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS) last year is a setback for marginalised sanitation workers. Effective water resource management and the success of SBM Phase II depend on a unified WASH strategy and financing, considering India's geographical diversity. This requires substantial investments in water management infrastructure, community training, and water treatment facilities. Enhancing capabilities, encouraging cross-departmental collaboration, fostering cultural sensitivity, and tailoring interventions to specific needs are essential. Empowering local communities and governments is crucial to achieving sustainable water management, improved sanitation, and hygiene across India.