Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti and State of Sikkim
MoU signed under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 for strengthening rural water supply infrastructure
MoU mandates Gram Panchayat-led, service-based and community-centered model of rural water governance
Objective: Ensure every rural household receives drinking water in adequate quantity and prescribed quality on regular basis
Focus on strengthened community participation (Jan Bhagidari) and structural reforms for sustainable operation and maintenance of rural water supply systems
Alignment with national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047
MoU signed in presence of Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C.R. Patil and Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Prem Singh Tamang
Senior officials present: Shri Ashok K.K. Meena (Secretary, DDWS), Shri Kamal Kishore Soan (Additional Secretary & Mission Director, National Jal Jeevan Mission), Shri D Senthil Pandiyan (Joint Secretary and Director)
MoU exchanged between Shri D Senthil Pandiyan and Shri Ashwini Kumar Chand (ADGP cum Pr. Resident Commissioner, Govt. of Sikkim)
State requested to notify O&M policy including all 19 essential points for sustainable service delivery
State requested to complete Sujal Gram ID and Sujalam Bharat ID creation in time-bound manner
Sikkim described as geographically challenging, disaster-prone Himalayan state
State has achieved coverage despite difficult terrain, dispersed habitations and high infrastructure development costs
State undertook extensive upgradation, expansion and modernisation of rural water supply infrastructure according to 2019 Mission guidelines
State committed to sustainable source sustainability measures under CAMPA project and VB-G RAM G
Focus on expanding functional tap water connections in remote and rural areas
Emphasis on decentralisation and community ownership with Gram Panchayats and Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) managing in-village water supply systems
District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM) meetings should be conducted regularly by all District Collectors
District administrations to play crucial role in monitoring implementation, conducting periodic reviews, and supporting Gram Panchayats
Alignment with Prime Minister's Har Ghar Nirantar Nal Se Jal vision
