The Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, organised the 12th edition of the multilingual ‘Sujal Gram Samvad’ on Wednesday to strengthen community participation in the operation and maintenance (O&M) of rural drinking water systems under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0.
The Samvad, chaired by Ashok K.K. Meena, Secretary, DDWS, was attended by Kamal Kishore Soan, AS&MD, NJJM, and senior officers of the department. It facilitated direct interaction with Gram Panchayat representatives and local communities on the sustainable management of rural drinking water infrastructure.
The virtual dialogue featured grassroots interactions across five Gram Panchayat (GP) headquartered villages. Participants included GP representatives, members of Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs), community members, Jal Sahiyas, Anganwadi workers, students, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and frontline functionaries.
JJM State Mission Directors, District Collectors/District Magistrates/Deputy Commissioners, District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM) officials, and senior State officers also participated, according to a press release by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
The discussions covered uninterrupted water supply, skilling of local operators, water quality and disinfection, community participation in O&M, financial sustainability through user charges and convergence, protection of drinking water sources, Jal Arpan, and the impact of reliable drinking water services on health, education, women’s empowerment, and local livelihoods.
Gram Panchayats’ Role in Sustainable Water Management
In his opening address, Ashok K.K. Meena emphasised the critical role of Gram Panchayats in managing local drinking water and sanitation services in line with the vision of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.
He highlighted the need to strengthen Gram Panchayats’ capacity to undertake O&M responsibilities, conduct regular assessments through Jal Seva Aankalan and Swachh Seva Aankalan, identify service gaps, and prepare action plans to improve service delivery.
He encouraged Panchayats to effectively utilise 16th Finance Commission grants and promote user-charge collection mechanisms to ensure the long-term sustainability of village water supply systems. He also underlined the importance of conducting the Samvad in local languages to facilitate meaningful dialogue and peer learning among rural communities.
GP Ghalian in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh: Regular Supply and Women’s Participation in Water Quality Monitoring
Representatives of GP Ghalian in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, said that before the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission, villagers largely depended on borewells and water tankers for drinking water. All six villages under the Gram Panchayat now have access to a regular drinking water supply despite difficult hilly terrain and varying elevations.
Women trained in water quality monitoring conduct tests twice every month using Field Testing Kits (FTKs), covering parameters such as pH, turbidity, TDS, hardness, and chlorine.
Itore in West Singhbhum, Jharkhand: User Charges and Strengthening Rural Water Services
Representatives of GP Itore in West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand, said that before the Jal Jeevan Mission, women and girls spent considerable time fetching water from hand pumps, wells, streams, and other traditional sources. Household tap water connections have significantly reduced the burden of collecting drinking water.
The Gram Panchayat collects a user charge of ₹62 per month, with Jal Sahiyas and VWSC members encouraging households that have yet to contribute to participate in the system.
Secretary, DDWS, emphasised that all eligible villages should first be covered through Single Village Schemes. He called for special attention to uncovered tribal habitations through initiatives such as PM-JANMAN and DAJGUA. He also suggested exploring corporate social responsibility (CSR) partnerships and conducting impact assessments in vulnerable areas affected by water-borne diseases.
Athal, Dadra and Nagar Haveli: Improved Public Health and Digital Monitoring
Representatives of GP Athal in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (DNH and D&D) highlighted the positive impact of piped water supply on public health and quality of life. During the interaction, community members said improved access to safe drinking water had contributed to a reduction in diarrhoeal diseases.
Women associated with Self-Help Groups have received training in water quality testing using FTKs, while students reported improved drinking water facilities in schools.
GP Sialhawk in Khawzawl, Mizoram: Community-Led O&M and Source Protection
Representatives of GP Sialhawk in Khawzawl district, Mizoram, said villagers had depended on springs and streams for their daily drinking water needs before the Jal Jeevan Mission. Household tap connections have substantially improved access to safe drinking water.
Every household contributes ₹150 per month as a user charge, with strong community participation ensuring regular collection and utilisation of funds for O&M activities.
Village representatives said the community takes primary responsibility for operating and maintaining the water supply system, while the department provides technical support whenever required.
AS&MD, NJJM, emphasised that drinking water infrastructure and water sources are valuable community assets whose protection must remain a collective responsibility. District authorities were encouraged to promote source conservation, user-charge collection, and community-led O&M practices across all villages.
GP Natha New Village in Zunheboto district, Nagaland: 100% Household Tap Connections and Long-Term Source Sustainability
Representatives of GP Natha New Village in Zunheboto district, Nagaland, said in Angami that the village had achieved 100% household tap connection coverage under Jal Jeevan Mission through a gravity-based water supply scheme.
Community members acknowledged the support provided by Central and State agencies in improving access to safe drinking water. They also discussed challenges related to pumping systems, electricity supply disruptions, and equipment maintenance in remote areas.
The discussion highlighted the active involvement of the Village Council and community institutions in identifying infrastructure requirements and planning improvements to the water supply system. Community members also stressed the importance of regular water quality monitoring and continuity in local water testing arrangements.
Appreciating the village’s efforts, the AS&MD, NJJM, emphasised that infrastructure created under JJM must be supported by strong source sustainability measures to ensure a reliable water supply for the next 25-30 years.
District administrations were encouraged to incorporate source protection and conservation activities into Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) and converge available resources for water source rejuvenation and preservation.
Convergence of Funds for Water Conservation and O&M
The AS&MD, NJJM, emphasised that Gram Panchayats and district administrations should prepare integrated plans by converging resources available under VB-G RAM G, Finance Commission grants, State-funded programmes, and other relevant schemes.
Such convergence can support source strengthening, water conservation, rejuvenation of traditional water bodies, O&M of village water supply systems, and sanitation service delivery, stated the press release.
He urged States and districts to ensure that these resources are utilised in a coordinated manner through GPDPs to maximise impact and avoid duplication of efforts.
-PIB Inputs
