DDWS Virtual Conference on JJM 2.0 and 16th Finance Commission Convergence
The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, organized the fourth virtual conference with States and Union Territories on October 22, 2026, as part of thematic consultations following the Departmental Summit on Water 2026 held on September 1-2, 2026. The conference focused on strengthening convergence between Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 and 16th Finance Commission grants to advance source sustainability, water security, and Gram Panchayat-led planning for sustainable rural drinking water service delivery.
Secretary DDWS Shri Ashok K.K. Meena emphasized the shift from infrastructure creation to ensuring functionality, sustainability, and quality service delivery under JJM 2.0. He highlighted the pivotal role of Gram Panchayats in rural water governance, noting that the 73rd Constitutional Amendment places drinking water and sanitation among their key responsibilities. Meena stressed that Gram Panchayats must take leadership in preparing comprehensive annual O&M plans, mobilizing local resources, and managing service delivery.
Regarding the 16th Finance Commission framework, Meena highlighted that tied grants provide significant opportunities for strengthening drinking water and sanitation services. The total Rural Local Body allocation exceeds ₹4.35 lakh crore, with nearly ₹1.74 lakh crore earmarked specifically for water management and sanitation activities over the award period. These grants should be utilized primarily for operation and maintenance, source sustainability, water quality management, service delivery improvements, and strengthening local institutional capacity rather than new infrastructure creation.
Meena outlined three key pillars of sustainable financing: effective utilization of Finance Commission grants, convergence with other available programs and schemes, and progressive strengthening of user-charge collection mechanisms. He emphasized the need for adequate provisions for repairs, leak management, pump maintenance, chlorination, water-quality surveillance, electricity expenditure, and staffing arrangements for uninterrupted service delivery.
Deputy Secretary NJJM Ms. Kritika Kulhari presented detailed information on the 16th Finance Commission Grants structure, release conditions, reporting requirements, permissible activities, and planning framework. Director Ministry of Panchayati Raj Shri Vipul Ujwal emphasized the integration of Requirements, Resources and Responsibilities (RRR) for sustainable service delivery, explaining how Gram Panchayats should identify service gaps, estimate annual O&M requirements, and integrate priorities into Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP).
State Best Practices and Experiences
Karnataka presented its integrated approach through innovations such as Jala Sankalana, JalaAasthi and Jeevajala, which combine GIS-based asset management, real-time monitoring, community participation, and evidence-based O&M planning. The state highlighted its experience in water budgeting, volumetric tariff collection, preventive maintenance, and institutional convergence under the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj framework.
Odisha shared its institutional model built around convergence among Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water departments, featuring integrated O&M framework, bottom-up budgeting process, digital monitoring systems, local mechanic training programs, and technology-driven interventions including solarization, automation and IoT-based monitoring systems.
Madhya Pradesh highlighted its recently notified O&M Rules, 2026, which enable Gram Panchayats to utilize multiple funding streams. The state showcased simplified procurement processes, district-level WASH technical committees, structured training programs, digital systems for user-charge collection, and technical capacity building efforts.
Implementation Framework and Next Steps
In concluding remarks, AS&MD NJJM Shri Kamal Kishore Soan reiterated that Finance Commission grants should institutionalize sustainable rural water governance and strengthen Panchayat ownership. He urged States to complete pending compliance requirements, strengthen GPDP-based planning, improve user-charge collection mechanisms, and ensure effective utilization of both 15th and 16th Finance Commission grants.
Soan announced two regional conferences planned in November 2026 to review preparedness, address implementation challenges, and strengthen convergence among departments responsible for drinking water, sanitation, Panchayati Raj and Rural Development. The conference concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen Panchayat-led planning, improve financial sustainability, enhance interdepartmental convergence, and ensure reliable drinking water and sanitation services for rural households.