The Ministry of Jal Shakti's Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation organized the All India Water Secretaries' Conference in New Delhi, chaired by Union Minister Shri C. R. Patil with Minister of State Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary in attendance. The conference saw participation from approximately 200 State Secretaries from all States and Union Territories, along with officials from the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Eight priority agenda items were discussed during the conference: the status of the Modernisation of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM) Scheme; the Special One-Month Nationwide #CatchTheRain Campaign for strengthening public participation in water conservation; Revised Draft Project Appraisal Guidelines for irrigation, multipurpose and flood management projects; Rule Curves of Dam Reservoirs and their effective implementation for improved reservoir operations and dam safety; Status of the State Water Reforms Framework (SWRF); Completion of Comprehensive Dam Safety Evaluation (CDSE) under the Dam Safety Act, 2021 by December 2026; Progress of Irrigation Censuses in States and Union Territories; and Framework for Model State Water Awards.
Union Minister Patil emphasized that water is fundamental to India's economic growth, food security, environmental sustainability, and citizen well-being. He highlighted challenges from climate change, groundwater depletion, and rapid urbanization, calling for scientific, efficient, and sustainable water resources management. The Minister urged States and Union Territories to intensify the Catch the Rain 2026 campaign through rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, traditional water body rejuvenation, afforestation, and public participation, referencing the Prime Minister's Mann Ki Baat call on June 28, 2026.
Additional priorities included accelerating M-CAD Scheme implementation, strengthening Water User Associations, improving irrigation efficiency, simplifying project appraisal processes for faster implementation of irrigation and flood management projects, effective implementation of the Dam Safety Act, 2021, timely completion of dam safety evaluations, and measures to address reservoir sedimentation. The Minister also emphasized digital governance, scientific planning, and public participation through the State Water Reforms Framework and national water-related censuses.
Three important documents were released during the conference: "City-level Action Plan for Reuse of Treated Water for Varanasi" - a framework roadmap for safe reuse of treated wastewater and promoting Circular Water Economy; "O&M Manual for Artificial Recharge and Ground Water Conservation Structures" - jointly developed by National Water Mission and Central Ground Water Board; and "Schedule of Rates (SoR) for Drilling and Allied Works" - a manual prepared by CGWB for transparency and standardization.
The conference concluded with a commitment to time-bound implementation to achieve "Jal Surakshit, Bharat Surakshit" (Water Secure, India Secure).