The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, organized its second follow-up review and convergence meeting to accelerate saturation of drinking water coverage in tribal areas under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA). The meeting was chaired by Secretary DDWS and attended by senior officials from National Jal Jeevan Mission (NJJM), Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), State Rural Water Supply/Public Health Engineering Departments, State Tribal Welfare Departments, and other stakeholders.
A dedicated provision of ₹5,000 crore under JJM 2.0 has been earmarked to address drinking water gaps in PM-JANMAN and DA-JGUA villages. The review focused on four priority areas: harmonization of data between Tribal Welfare Departments and JJM databases, identification of uncovered villages and habitations, preparation of technically sound proposals, and joint validation and certification of coverage. States and UTs were urged to complete these activities expeditiously and submit validated proposals for consideration.
Secretary DDWS Shri Ashok K.K. Meena emphasized that regular reviews should be undertaken through District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM) meetings chaired by Deputy Commissioners/District Magistrates. The DWSM should serve as the principal platform for inter-departmental coordination, validation of survey findings, and identification of genuine coverage gaps requiring intervention.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has undertaken a State-wise SurveySetu exercise including household-level verification of Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) status. States were advised to present SurveySetu findings jointly before the DWSM through representatives of Water Supply Departments, Tribal Welfare Departments, and the survey agency, with discrepancies to be resolved through consultation and field verification.
State-wise progress and observations on proposals already received were reviewed during the meeting. Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Kerala, and Manipur were advised to address specific observations relating to LGD code validation, DPR documentation, service levels, and per-FHTC costs. Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Assam were requested to take action on observations already communicated by DDWS. Several states shared timelines for proposal submission, with Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh indicating that proposals covering identified PM-JANMAN and DA-JGUA villages would be submitted during October 2026.
The Technical Division of NJJM emphasized the need to improve quality and completeness of DPR submissions, ensuring realistic population projections, adherence to prescribed service levels, adequate provisions for source sustainability and water security, and reasonable per-FHTC costs supported by appropriate technical justification.
As part of the agreed way forward, States and UTs will establish a common validated database through harmonization of PM-JANMAN, DA-JGUA, SurveySetu and JJM-IMIS records. Jointly validated proposals along with duly signed DPR Checklists and requisite approvals will be submitted for consideration by the Joint Committee co-chaired by the Secretary, DDWS and Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs.