Centre asks district collectors to strengthen local governance under JJM 2.0

New Delhi, May 15 (PTI) With Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 now extended till 2028 and around 81 per cent rural households having tap water connections, the Centre on Friday asked district collectors to strengthen local governance and ensure sustainability of rural water supply infrastructure.
    The direction was given during the 8th edition of the District Collectors' Peyjal Samvad organised by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti through video conferencing.
    Addressing the meeting, DDWS Secretary Ashok K K Meena said the Jal Jeevan Mission has transformed rural water supply since its launch in 2019 by shifting dependence from handpumps and common water sources to household tap water connections.
    "Despite challenges during the Covid period, the Mission has progressed substantially and has now been extended till December 2028 under JJM 2.0, with around 81 per cent rural households having tap water connections," he said.
    "While infrastructure has been created through the joint efforts of Centre and states, its long-term functionality depends on strong local governance," Meena said.
    He said that under JJM 2.0, "in-village infrastructure is to be handed over to gram panchayats, while bulk infrastructure will continue to remain with states".
    "Gram panchayats should function as local service providers," he said, stressing that community participation through gram sabhas should be ensured for accountability and transparency.
    The secretary also urged district collectors to conduct regular monthly District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM) meetings and review the status of drinking water supply and sanitation services.
    The session also featured presentations on the project monitoring module on the Sujalam Bharat PM Gati Shakti mobile application and the Comprehensive Implementation and Reform Planning (CIRP) framework for monitoring physical and financial progress of schemes.
    Districts including Nagpur, Koraput, Kollam, Muzaffarnagar, Pali and Dhanbad presented innovative practices ranging from rainwater harvesting and river rejuvenation to digital monitoring systems, greywater management and community-led water conservation initiatives.
    The ministry said the presentations showcased "achievements, ongoing challenges, and best practices" adopted by districts to accelerate progress under the Har Ghar Jal initiative.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)