New Delhi [India], October 14 (ANI): The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), beneath the Ministry of Jal Shakti, on Wednesday referred to as for stronger coordination between Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 and VB-G RAM G to make sure sustainable consuming water sources and strengthen Gram Panchayat-led water governance in rural areas.
The division organised a digital convention with States and Union Territories to debate supply sustainability, water safety and the upkeep of rural consuming water infrastructure. The assembly was the third in a sequence of thematic consultations held following the Departmental Summit on Water 2026 on September 1 and a pair of.
Addressing the convention, DDWS Secretary Ashok KK Meena stated the main focus beneath JJM 2.0 was shifting in the direction of making certain the long-term performance and sustainability of rural consuming water infrastructure created beneath the mission.
He confused that dependable consuming water companies required systematic safety, groundwater recharge and administration of water sources, alongside common upkeep of current infrastructure.
Meena stated VB-G RAM G supplied alternatives to undertake water conservation, groundwater recharge and upkeep works that would instantly contribute to consuming water safety.
He referred to as for integrating JJM Village Action Plans and Source Sustainability Plans with Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans (VGPPs) and incorporating them into the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) course of. He additionally emphasised that interventions must be primarily based on scientific assessments of native water assets and authorised by the Gram Sabha.
Highlighting the function of native establishments, Meena stated Gram Panchayats and Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) had important data of native water sources, differences due to the season and neighborhood necessities. Their participation in planning, implementation and monitoring was essential to making sure the sustainability of rural consuming water programs.
The Secretary urged States to make use of the Decision Support System (DSS) developed beneath JJM 2.0 and the Yuktdhara Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to determine weak consuming water sources and prioritise interventions primarily based on scientific assessments.
He referred to measures corresponding to test dams, gully plugs, recharge shafts, injection wells, underground dykes and rooftop rainwater harvesting constructions, which could be carried out in keeping with native hydrogeological situations.
Meena additionally referred to as for clear mechanisms for technical scrutiny, approval, implementation and monitoring of convergence initiatives. He confused the necessity for coordinated motion amongst Rural Water Supply, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj departments on the State, district and Gram Panchayat ranges.
He recognized 5 precedence areas for States and Union Territories: aligning JJM plans with Gram Panchayat plans beneath VB-G RAM G; figuring out supply sustainability works by DSS and Yuktdhara; establishing technical scrutiny and approval mechanisms; strengthening inter-departmental information sharing; and growing joint monitoring programs to evaluate implementation and water safety outcomes.
During the convention, Deeksha S Bisht, Assistant Commissioner within the Ministry of Rural Development, outlined alternatives for convergence between the 2 programmes. She stated VB-G RAM G supplied for 128 water security-related works overlaying groundwater recharge, rainwater harvesting, watershed therapy, rejuvenation of water our bodies, supply sustainability and upkeep of water-related property.
Bisht highlighted the necessity to prioritise water-related works in confused areas primarily based on groundwater stress classifications and native necessities. She additionally underlined the significance of water budgeting, hydrogeological assessments and geospatial planning instruments to determine appropriate interventions and guarantee efficient use of assets.
States shared their experiences in implementing water conservation measures and sustaining rural consuming water infrastructure.
Odisha highlighted its initiatives on groundwater recharge, greywater administration, catchment therapy, supply safety and climate-resilient water infrastructure. These included neighborhood recharge pits, recharge constructions and the restoration of conventional water our bodies.
Madhya Pradesh offered measures to implement provisions beneath the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Rules, 2026, and strengthen the function of Gram Panchayats in sustaining rural water provide schemes. The State additionally shared mannequin estimates for rainwater harvesting and supply sustainability works, together with mechanisms to enhance coordination between Rural Development and Rural Water Supply departments.
Rajasthan outlined its framework for preventive, corrective and emergency upkeep of rural water provide infrastructure by convergence with VB-G RAM G. The State highlighted the function of Gram Panchayats, Paani Samitis and Public Health Engineering Department functionaries in sustaining water provide property.
Sumit Priyadarshi, Deputy Advisor on the National Jal Jeevan Mission, offered the implementation framework for DSS, which helps determine consuming water sources going through water high quality and amount dangers. He urged States to make use of the system to prioritise interventions, validate recognized dangers by area assessments and monitor the affect of mitigation measures.
Assam shared its expertise in utilizing DSS to determine and confirm water-quantity-stressed villages by GIS mapping, area verification, commonplace working procedures and remedial motion plans for weak sources.
In his concluding remarks, Kamal Kishore Soan, Additional Secretary and Mission Director of the National Jal Jeevan Mission, stated investments beneath VB-G RAM G ought to tackle consuming water challenges recognized by DSS and end in measurable enhancements in water safety.
He stated efforts have been underway to combine info on consuming water sources and their related Gram Panchayats into the Rural Development Management Information System (MIS), enabling simpler monitoring of planning, expenditure and implementation.
Soan urged States and Union Territories to make sure that District Collectors, Chief Executive Officers of Zila Panchayats and area officers used DSS information to determine and prioritise weak consuming water sources. He additionally referred to as for post-monsoon assessments and testing of consuming water sources, area verification and the preparation of acceptable mitigation plans.
He additional urged States to difficulty advisories to district-level officers, prioritise interventions in water-stressed areas and put together motion plans for presentation at regional conferences scheduled from November 2026.
The convention concluded with a dedication by the Centre, States, and Union Territories to strengthen convergence between JJM 2.0 and VB-G RAM G, with an emphasis on scientific planning, coordinated implementation and Gram Panchayat-led governance to make sure sustainable consuming water sources and dependable rural water provide. (ANI)