Har Ghar Nal Scheme in Uttar Pradesh: Ensuring Clean Water for Every Household

What Is the Har Ghar Nal Scheme and Why It Matters

Har Ghar Nal Scheme in Uttar Pradesh: Ensuring Clean Water for Every Household: Clean drinking water is a basic human need, yet in many rural parts of India, families still walk kilometres to access it. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), the Har Ghar Nal Yojana in Uttar Pradesh is bringing this basic necessity into every home. In a major 2025 policy shift, the UP government waived the earlier 10% community contribution, making piped water access truly universal. This decision impacts over 2.33 crore families, eliminating a key financial barrier for millions of low-income households.

From Costly Contribution to Affordable Maintenance

Earlier, villagers had to pay 10% of the project cost, or 5% in SC/ST areas, to access the scheme. For many, this was unaffordable. Now, families need to pay just ₹50 per month as a maintenance charge to the Gram Panchayat, which handles repairs and upkeep. The waiver has provided ₹9,092 crore in relief and made clean water access a reality, not a privilege. In places like Chitrakoot and Gonda, this means water is now available at the kitchen tap, improving both health and dignity.

Strengthening Villages with Local Governance

The new structure empowers Gram Panchayats to maintain water systems using the ₹50 monthly fee. This creates community ownership and local responsibility, turning villages into active partners in water governance. As water becomes more accessible, school attendance rises, especially for girls, and health indicators improve due to reduced waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid. Women, who once spent hours fetching water, now reclaim time for education, work, or rest.

A National Trend Toward Water Equality

UP’s decision is part of a larger national shift. States like Odisha, Bihar, Haryana, Rajasthan, and West Bengal have also waived the contribution. Madhya Pradesh is expected to follow soon. These policies reflect a growing belief that water access is a right, not a privilege. As India moves toward the 2024 JJM target, these state-level changes will help fulfil the dream of “Har Ghar Jal” across India.

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