The Har Ghar Jal initiative, part of the Jal Jeevan Mission, is transitioning to community-owned rural water service delivery, according to Ashok K. K. Meena, Secretary of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation. Meena emphasized the importance of community ownership for long-term functionality and quality of water services during the District Collectors’ ‘Peyjal Samvad’. The event aimed to enhance the implementation of Har Ghar Jal under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Underscoring the significant role of District Collectors, Meena highlighted the need for a systematic handover of schemes to Gram Panchayats in alignment with constitutional provisions. He stressed the necessity for communities to take full ownership of operations and maintenance to ensure sustainable service delivery. Referring to successful models in various states, including 24×7 systems managed by Gram Panchayats, Meena praised the growing strength of local governance in the water sector.
The upcoming extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission will focus on saturating single-village schemes, expanding solar-based infrastructure, and enhancing transparency through financial reconciliation. Meena urged districts to expedite scheme handovers, strengthen community-led processes, and intensify efforts to achieve the vision of providing safe drinking water to every rural household. Deputy Secretary of the National Jal Jeevan Mission, Ankita Chakraborty, commended districts for their initiatives contributing to best practices in rural water service delivery.
Chakraborty emphasized the importance of community-owned rural water services during the Samvad, highlighting the role of district leadership in ensuring service quality, convergence, and citizen engagement. The event focused on Jal Utsav-Jal Mahotsav, promoting community-led approaches for sustainable water systems.
