The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, in collaboration with the Ministry of Rural Development, has called for convergence of works under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 and Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) SBM-(G) 2.0 under the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025. This initiative aims to strengthen rural development through integrated planning for rural water security and resilience.
The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 identifies water security as one of its four thematic focus areas, recognizing its importance for sustainable livelihoods, agricultural productivity, climate resilience and long-term rural development. JJM 2.0, approved on 10 March 2026, focuses on drinking water source sustainability, groundwater recharge and greywater management, while SBM(G) 2.0 focuses on scientific management of solid and liquid waste for environmental sanitation and public health.
States and UTs have been requested to ensure proper integrated planning, prioritize water security under Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans (VGPPs), include Rural Water Supply/Public Health Engineering Department officials in State-level Steering Committees, and nominate dedicated nodal officers from State Water and Sanitation Mission and Rural Development Department. They must technically align VGPPs with Village Action Plans under both missions, register and geo-tag all works on the Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack, utilize geospatial planning tools such as Yuktdhara along with water budgeting and hydrogeological assessments, and institutionalize convergence to ensure collective contribution to sustainable drinking water security and improved rural livelihoods.
Close coordination among Departments of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and other concerned departments at State, district and Gram Panchayat levels is deemed critical for successful implementation. This convergence aims to strengthen sustainability of rural drinking water services while promoting ecological sustainability, climate resilience and quality of life in rural communities, contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.