The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti organised the 11th edition of Sujal Gram Samvad, a multilingual platform that brings together Gram Panchayat representatives, village committees and local communities to discuss how to run and maintain rural water supply systems. The dialogue reinforces the government’s focus on community-led water governance as part of Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, which aims to provide safe drinking water to every household in rural India.
The event brought together Gram Panchayat leaders, Village Water and Sanitation Committee members, Jal Sahiyas (water ambassadors), Anganwadi workers, state officials and district administrators across four villages to share experiences and learn from each other’s successes in managing water infrastructure at the grassroots level.
Key facts
- 11th edition of Sujal Gram Samvad held with participation from 4 Gram Panchayat headquartered villages
- Villages featured: GP Sakaria (Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh), GP Dashinpara (Alipurduar, West Bengal), GP Gorabali South (Bokaro, Jharkhand), and GP Partapur (Nubra, Ladakh)
- Event was chaired by Shri Ashok K.K. Meena, Secretary, DDWS
- GP Sakaria collects user charges of Rs 150 per month per household
- Jal Arpan (water handover) was organised in GP Sakaria on 16 March 2026
- Around 15 community-led water management models are operational in Bokaro district alone
- Water quality testing being conducted weekly in participating villages
What the dialogue focused on
The 11th Sujal Gram Samvad centred on critical aspects of sustaining rural water services, including keeping water supply schemes running without interruption, training local operators to manage the systems, ensuring water quality and disinfection, collecting user charges to fund operations, protecting water sources through measures like groundwater recharge and rainwater harvesting, and recognising the wider benefits of reliable water access on health, education and women’s empowerment.
Secretary DDWS stressed that Gram Panchayats must take stronger ownership of operation and maintenance of water infrastructure. He called for improved collection of user charges, better financial management of water schemes, and greater reliance on state operation and maintenance policies to ensure services remain sustainable and reliable over the long term.
Lessons from villages achieving Har Ghar Jal status
GP Sakaria in Madhya Pradesh reported that every household now has piped water access and maintains regular user charge collection through digital platforms. The village conducts weekly water quality testing and employs trained local operators.
GP Dashinpara in West Bengal highlighted how tap connections have reached every household, school and Anganwadi centre. The Village Water and Sanitation Committee actively monitors water quality and involves women in community mobilisation efforts. An Anganwadi worker noted that safe drinking water has reduced water-borne diseases and eased the burden of water collection, benefiting nutrition and health awareness among mothers and adolescent girls.
GP Gorabali South in Jharkhand showcased the Jal Sahiya model, where women lead community mobilisation, charge collection and grievance handling. The village conducts regular water quality testing using field test kits and discusses water management in Gram Sabha meetings. The district reported 15 successful community-led water management models operating across it.
GP Partapur in Ladakh demonstrated how piped water supply now functions even during harsh winters when temperatures drop to minus 30 degrees Celsius, addressing a major challenge villagers previously faced in accessing water during winter months.
What officials recommended
Senior officials suggested that states prepare operation and maintenance manuals in local languages so Gram Panchayat representatives and village water committees can better understand their responsibilities in managing rural water supply systems. They also encouraged Panchayats to use the e-Gram Swaraj portal to plan and monitor spending and to utilise funds from the 16th Finance Commission to strengthen drinking water infrastructure and source protection.
Officials highlighted that villages completing Har Ghar Jal certification should organise Jal Arpan programmes to formally hand over water assets to communities, strengthening local ownership and long-term sustainability.
What this means for you
If you live in a village under Jal Jeevan Mission, this dialogue reinforces that your Gram Panchayat and village water committees will focus more on collecting user charges to maintain local water systems and ensure water quality testing happens regularly. Villages are being encouraged to involve communities, particularly women, in managing water infrastructure. If your village has achieved Har Ghar Jal status, watch for Jal Arpan events that formally hand over water assets to your community. Gram Sabhas are expected to use the 2 October date to discuss water conservation and water security more actively.