Ministry of Jal Shakti Hosts 9th Sujal Gram Samvad on Community-Led Water Governance
The Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, successfully organized the ninth edition of the multilingual 'Sujal Gram Samvad' on July 24, 2026, reinforcing the government's commitment to community-led water governance under the Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0. The virtual dialogue was chaired by Shri Ashok K.K. Meena, Secretary of DDWS, along with Shri Kamal Kishore Soan (AS&MD, NJJM) and Shri D Senthil Pandiyan (Joint Secretary, NJJM), with participation from Gram Panchayat representatives, Village Water and Sanitation Committees members, Jal Sahiyas, Jal Bahinis, Jal Sakhis, Anganwadi workers, students, teachers, frontline functionaries, JJM State Mission Directors, District Collectors, District Magistrates, Deputy Commissioners, DWSM officials, and senior state officers.
Shri Ashok K.K. Meena emphasized that drinking water and sanitation are subjects entrusted to Panchayati Raj Institutions under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment and stressed the need for effective devolution of Funds, Functions and Functionaries (3Fs) to Gram Panchayats for sustainable management of rural water supply systems. He highlighted that active community ownership through Village Water & Sanitation Committees, particularly with participation of women, youth and ex-servicemen, is essential for ensuring long-term sustainability of rural drinking water infrastructure.
Gram Panchayat Progress Reports and Implementation Details
Eight Gram Panchayats from across India shared their experiences and achievements:
Subbegoundenpudur, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu: Achieved 100% Har Ghar Jal coverage across villages and habitations, supplying 55 LPCD through surface water from Bhavani and Aliyar rivers. The GP collects ₹50 per month (₹600 annually) as user charges. Self-Help Groups conduct water quality testing using Field Test Kits (FTKs). District officials reported that Coimbatore was declared Har Ghar Jal on June 29, 2024, with 80,000 PVTG households covered under the Mission. A dedicated District Source Sustainability Committee has been constituted.
Bariyarpur, Lakhisaria, Bihar: Representatives highlighted significant improvement from previous reliance on hand pumps and scattered local sources. District officials completed surveys in uncovered tribal hamlets and are implementing piped water supply schemes phasedly, with gradual transfer of completed schemes to Gram Panchayats.
Sonamarg B, Ganderbal, Jammu & Kashmir: Receives drinking water through gravity-based spring water supply schemes, substantially improving availability in the mountainous region. The community actively participates in protection and rejuvenation of natural springs. District officials have rejuvenated nearly 30 springs and prepared District Improvement Plans (DIP) for sustainable water security.
Lallen, Mamit, Mizoram: Established effective community-led operation and maintenance system with leakages reported immediately through WhatsApp groups and locally engaged plumbers attending complaints promptly. The District Collector reported regular DWSM meetings with proceedings uploaded, and convergence with Forest Department and Watershed programmes.
Etori, Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh: Household tap connections significantly improved access to safe drinking water, reducing water-fetching drudgery. The GP regularly discusses O&M in Gram Sabha meetings. District Administration is providing safe drinking water to Koda and Kora tribal habitations, conducting Jan Chaupal programmes, and orienting Gram Panchayats on Jal Sarthi App.
Faridpur, Panipat, Haryana: Developed strong community-led O&M model collecting monthly user charges from households (totaling ₹13,000 monthly revenue) utilized for routine repairs. Self-Help Group women conduct water quality testing through FTKs. District officials highlighted Haryana's implementation of State Water Policy by onboarding SHG women for user charge collection and water quality monitoring.
Husir, Khunti, Jharkhand: JJM transformed the predominantly tribal Gram Panchayat by providing household tap connections. The GP collects ₹30 per month per household (approximately ₹9,400 monthly total), with economically weaker families exempted. Funds are used for pump operator payment, plumber services, and repairs. District officials instituted structured monitoring with field visits every 4th Saturday and are partnering with LAMPS, PACS, and SHGs to strengthen O&M.
Kotdhi, Balrampur, Chhattisgarh: Drinking water quality monitored every fortnight using FTKs, with results shared through WhatsApp groups. Soak pits constructed for greywater disposal. GPs are leveraging 15th FC grants to support O&M of rural water supply schemes. District officials are undertaking water conservation through convergence with VB-GRAM G and other programmes.
Concluding Directives and Future Focus
Shri Kamal Kishore Soan, AS&MD, NJJM, urged effective utilization of the 16th FC grants for which guidelines will be shared soon. He emphasized regular DWSM meetings to review scheme functionality, address implementation challenges, and monitor service delivery. Stressing source sustainability, he called for sustained efforts to protect and rejuvenate drinking water sources for future generations. He urged District Collectors to actively participate in Jal Arpan programmes and ensure all prescribed protocols are followed. Gram Pradhans were encouraged to regularly review village water supply status on the e-Gram Swaraj Portal and share information through Gram Sabha meetings to strengthen transparency and community participation.
The Samvad aimed to listen to village communities, understand their experiences, and learn local practices on O&M and source sustenance, as stated by Shri Y K Singh, Director, NJJM, who set the context and objectives for the dialogue.