India, Sept. 15 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
The Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, organised the 12th edition of the District Collectors' Peyjal Samvad today through video conferencing, bringing together senior officials, District Collectors/ District Magistrates/ Deputy Commissioners, to deliberate on accelerating the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 and sharing of best practices.
The Samvad was chaired by Shri Ashok K.K. Meena, Secretary, DDWS. Shri Kamal Kishore Soan, Additional Secretary & Mission Director, National Jal Jeevan Mission (NJJM) and Senior Officers from SWSM and DDWS were also present during the Samvad.
Addressing the occasion, Shri Ashok K.K. Meena, Secretary, DDWS, emphasized the importance of regular monthly District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM) meetings to review scheme progress, service delivery, water quality, and source sustainability under JJM 2.0. He stressed that completed schemes should be handed over to Gram Panchayats through the Jal Arpan programme after the prescribed trial run and proper documentation, thereby promoting community ownership and sustainable operation and maintenance. He urged districts to actively involve MPs, MLAs, and other public representatives through Jal Arpan ceremonies, DISHA meetings, and DWSM reviews to enhance transparency and public confidence in rural water supply systems. He also highlighted the need for timely utilization of JJM 2.0 funds, accurate reporting of physical and financial progress, and preparation of District and State Improvement Plans to address service gaps. Further, he encouraged the use of the Decision Support System (DSS) for planning source sustainability measures such as rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge, while underscoring that regular monitoring of scheme functionality, water quality, and sustainability interventions is essential to ensure reliable and sustainable drinking water services for all rural households.
The progress and best practices of six selected districts, Shahdol (Madhya Pradesh), Samba (Jammu & Kashmir), Hooghly (West Bengal), Dhamtari (Chhattisgarh), Fatehgarh Sahib (Punjab) and North & Middle Andaman (Andaman & Nicobar Islands) were also presented by the respective District Collectors/District Magistrates/District Commissioners to facilitate cross-learning and support other districts in strengthening implementation under JJM 2.0.
Innovative Best Practices shared by six districts through presentations by the respective District Collector/ District Magistrate/ Deputy Commissioner:
In his concluding remarks, Shri Kamal Kishore Soan, AS&MD, NJJM appreciated the presentations made by Districts and urged that all Mission Directors to actively participate in the upcoming Skilling and Nal Jal Mitra Programme discussions by coordinating with the State Skill Development Departments and sharing inputs before the virtual meeting scheduled on 21 September 2026. Further, he stated that States/UTs were also advised to commence geo-tagging of rural water supply sources from 2 October 2026. Further, Jal Arpan activities should be organized on 2 October 2026 across the maximum possible number of Gram Panchayats, with details of participating GPs to be shared with the Department by 20 September 2026. States/UTs were also directed to initiate post-monsoon testing of water supply sources from 2 October 2026. The meeting concluded with appreciation for the efforts of all participating States and Districts towards effective implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
