Ministry of Jal Shakti Holds 11th District Collectors' Peyjal Samvad
The Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, organized the 11th edition of the District Collectors' Peyjal Samvad on August 11, 2026, through video conferencing. The event brought together senior officials and District Collectors/District Magistrates/Deputy Commissioners to deliberate on accelerating the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 and share best practices.
Secretary DDWS Shri Ashok K.K. Meena emphasized the pivotal role of DWSM as the primary institutional mechanism and urged districts to conduct regular monthly meetings while uploading proceedings on the JJM IMIS portal. He called for leveraging the Decision Support System (DSS) for scientific assessment of source sustainability and highlighted the importance of water conservation during monsoon through intensifying the "Catch the Rain – Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari" campaign. This involves active participation of Gram Panchayats, VWSCs, Self-Help Groups, schools, colleges, and community institutions to promote rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and long-term water security.
Meena urged districts to expedite Jal Arpan ceremonies for completed schemes after prescribed commissioning processes and mandatory trial runs, enabling formal handover of assets to GPs. He noted that over 2 lakh villages and more than 1 lakh GPs across the country have achieved Har Ghar Jal certification, which should now translate into sustained community-led management of rural water supply systems. He emphasized convergence with programmes such as VB-G RAM G for source sustainability and greywater management, effective utilization of 16th Finance Commission tied grants for water and sanitation, and collection of user charges at the GP level to support O&M of village water supply infrastructure.
DDWS presented a detailed implementation roadmap for "Sujalam Shakti," which focuses on establishing women-led village support groups to strengthen water quality monitoring, community participation, and source sustainability.
District Best Practices Presentations
Four districts presented their innovative practices:
Uttara Kannda, Karnataka (presented by Smt. K Lakshmi Priya, Deputy Commissioner and Dr. Dileesh Sasi, CEO, Zilla Panchayat) showcased comprehensive approach to sustainable rural water supply in geographically challenging terrain comprising coastal, forest, and hilly areas. The district highlighted extensive source sustainability initiatives including mapping lakes, open wells, borewells, and preparation of sustainability plans in GPs using geospatial data, groundwater assessments, and local resource mapping for long-term water security plans. They are promoting convergence with VB-G RAM G over the next five years and obtained forest and wildlife clearances for Multi-Village Schemes through coordination with the Forest Department.
Khowai, Tripura (presented by Shri Rajat Pant, District Magistrate and Collector) demonstrated integrated approach through regular DWSM and DISHA meetings, geo-tagged monitoring, third-party quality audits, and structured handover of schemes to GPs through Jal Arpan. The district highlighted convergence of 15th FC grants and MPLADS funds for drinking water supply in remote tribal habitations, extensive IEC activities involving schools, SHGs and line departments, and School Water Clubs where SHG women train students in water quality testing using FTKs. Awareness campaigns are promoted through district mascot "Nirmal Modi," with over 6,000 SHG women engaged in community mobilisation. Source sustainability interventions include catchment protection, afforestation, groundwater recharge structures, and greywater management through soak pits built in convergence with SBM-G, 15th FC and VB-G RAM-G.
Didwana Kuchaman, Rajasthan (presented by Shri Avdhesh Meena, District Collector) addressed the challenge of fluoride- and salinity-affected groundwater that historically resulted in dental and skeletal fluorosis cases. The district strengthened surface water-based regional water supply systems and significantly expanded rural tap water coverage. They emphasized source sustainability through convergence with MGNREGA and other programmes, promoting traditional water conservation and groundwater recharge interventions including construction and rejuvenation of Tankas, restoration of water bodies, and rainwater harvesting measures in water-scarce areas. The district showcased its SCADA-enabled monitoring system for real-time tracking of reservoirs, water treatment facilities, pump houses, and village-level distribution networks.
Chatra, Jharkhand (presented by Shri Ravi Anand, Deputy Commissioner) presented a convergence-led model featuring the innovative "Peyjal Samasya Nivaaran Pakhwada" campaign to identify and resolve drinking water issues through coordinated field action involving district administration, technical departments, Panchayati Raj Institutions, and local communities. The initiative enabled rapid grievance resolution related to hand pumps, village water supply schemes, water shortages, and source sustainability. The district employs IoT-enabled remote monitoring of water supply schemes, village-level capacity building of youth as pump operators and plumbers, and women-led water quality surveillance through Jalsahiya cadres. Convergence with MGNREGA and other funding sources supported construction of over 5,300 soak pits, rainwater harvesting structures, and rejuvenation of ponds and reservoirs.
In concluding remarks, Shri Kamal Kishore Soan, AS&MD, NJJM emphasized the critical role of regular DWSM meetings, district dashboards, and District Technical Units (DTUs) in strengthening planning, monitoring, and service delivery. He urged District Collectors to leverage data-driven decision-making, ensure effective functioning of DTUs, and promote capacity building through convergence with RSETIs, SRLMs, and Skill Development, while highlighting the importance of training women under Sujalam Shakti and strengthening local technical capacities.