Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has appealed to the Union Government to release pending funds and reimbursements under the Jal Jeevan Mission, highlighting that the state has invested ₹17,554 crore over the past two years without central support. During a video conference with Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil, Siddaramaiah reaffirmed Karnataka’s commitment to ensuring safe drinking water for all citizens, despite being the second most arid state in India. He noted that the state has achieved 86.93% coverage with 88.06 lakh functional household tap connections as of April 2026, with significant progress made in rural infrastructure. Siddaramaiah criticized the central government for delaying fund releases, stating that Karnataka has financed even the Centre’s share to keep the mission on track. He emphasized the state's innovative approaches, including the establishment of a Project Management Unit and the use of digital tools for water management. The Chief Minister urged the Union Government to release the pending funds promptly to maintain momentum towards achieving universal access to safe drinking water for rural citizens.