{"id":14732,"date":"2026-01-07T12:18:22","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T06:48:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/?p=14732"},"modified":"2026-01-07T12:18:34","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T06:48:34","slug":"ddws-holds-4th-district-collectors-peyjal-samvad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/?p=14732","title":{"rendered":"DDWS holds 4th District Collectors\u2019 Peyjal Samvad"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

DDWS holds 4th District Collectors\u2019 Peyjal Samvad<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n


\nJal Arpan, Jal Bandhan and Jal Sankalp Reinforce the Spirit of Jan Bhagidari and Community Ownership<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Districts share field innovations in 24\u00d77 water supply, water quality, community engagement and O&M systems<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Posted On: 11 DEC 2025 6:05PM by PIB Delhi<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

The Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, organised the 4th edition of the District Collectors\u2019 Peyjal Samvad today, bringing together senior officials, district administrations, and sector experts to deliberate on strengthening the implementation of Har Ghar Jal under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The virtual event was chaired by\u00a0Shri Ashok K. K. Meena, Secretary, DDWS, and witnessed participation from District Collector\/Deputy Commissioner\/ District Officials across the country.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

In his address, Secretary, DDWS, Shri Ashok K.K. Meena appreciated the district teams\u2019 efforts and encouraged them to continue strengthening service delivery with diligence and community partnership.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

He outlined three key priorities for all District Collectors and Mission Directors.\u00a0First, he stressed the importance of conducting\u00a0regular DWSM review meetings, with minutes uploaded promptly, to take stock of rural drinking water supply, sanitation progress, Har Ghar Jal declarations, Model Village development, operational sustainability and grievance redressal, etc.\u00a0Second, referring to the launch of the\u00a0Sujalam Bharat App\u00a0by the Union Minister of Jal Shakti, he highlighted the creation of\u00a0Sujalam Bharat \u2013 Sujal Gaon ID, under the Sujalam Bharat Database, noting that these unique identifiers are a major enabler for clear scheme mapping, transparent asset management and improved monitoring.\u00a0Third, he urged districts to go through and adopt the handbook –\u00a0\u2018Community Managed Piped Water Systems in Rural India – Jan-Bhagidari se Har Ghar Jal\u2019<\/em>, particularly its guidance on readiness protocols, commissioning-to-handover processes and VWSC empowerment.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Smt. Ankita Chakraborty, Deputy Secretary \u2013 NJJM, welcomed the Secretary, the Additional Secretary and Mission Director \u2013 NJJM, Mission Directors from States and all participating District Collectors\/ District Magistrates to the 4th District Collectors\u2019 Peyjal Samvad. She highlighted that the focus of today\u2019s deliberations would be on\u00a0Jal Arpan Diwas, and emphasised the need to re-affirm the spirit of\u00a0Jan Bhagidari\u00a0and community ownership in rural water governance. Jal Arpan, she noted, is meant to\u00a0connect communities with their water assets, and stands as a\u00a0declaration from the Government of India that these assets belong to the village\u00a0and are to be managed and cared for by them.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

DDWS Presentation on\u00a0Jal Arpan Diwas<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A detailed presentation on\u00a0Jal Arpan, focusing on community ownership and the formal handover of rural water supply schemes to Gram Panchayats and Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSCs), was made by\u00a0Shri Y.K. Singh, Director-NJJM.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

He explained that\u00a0Jal Arpan Diwas\u00a0is celebrated as a moment where responsibility for managing, operating, and maintaining the village water supply system formally shifts\u00a0from government-led construction to community-led ownership.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"A<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Jal Arpan brings together Gram Panchayats, VWSCs, SHGs, youth groups, and villagers, reinforcing the Jan Bhagidari framework. Celebrations typically include cultural rituals, Jal Chaupal, and recognition of community volunteers \u2013 strengthening social ownership.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The ceremony will be held at the village water assets, pump house, OHT, or distribution points, followed by symbolic handover, signing of records, and reading of community commitments. Suggested activities include cleanliness drives, water-quality awareness, system demonstrations, Gram Sabha discussions, and showcasing O&M preparedness.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"A<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The presentation highlighted:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • The significance of Jal Arpan Diwas as a\u00a0festival of community ownership<\/em>\u00a0where villages take charge of operating, maintaining and safeguarding their water supply systems.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
  • The transition from infrastructure creation to O&M and sustainability, emphasising Jan Bhagidari as the core philosophy.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Preparedness requirements including trial runs, O&M plans, asset registers, as-built drawings, water-quality testing, and community mobilisation.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Suggested celebration formats such as Jal Walk, Jal Bandhan, Jal Vandana, Jal Sankalp, and recognition of VWSC members and volunteers.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Post-handover responsibilities of VWSCs and continued technical support from district teams.<\/strong><\/span>
    \n\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    District Presentations<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    The following districts presented their progress and field practices. Each presentation was delivered by the respective District Collector\/Deputy Commissioner\/ District Officials.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Kamjong, Manipur:\u00a0The District Official highlighted field-level activities under JJM including\u00a0FTK water testing by VWSCs, regular IEC\/awareness programmes, provision of Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs), declaration of\u00a0Har Ghar Jal\u00a0villages, and instances of\u00a0public participation in restoration of damaged pipelines.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Dhar, Madhya Pradesh:\u00a0Shri Priyank Mishra, Collector & District Magistrate, Dhar\u00a0presented the district\u2019s progress and provided an overview of major multi-village schemes (Rajond, Mann Dam, Bagh, Rignod, Upper Narmada, Mahi and Lower Narmada), including sanctioned costs, contractors and physical progress. He highlighted the district\u2019s use of the Panchayat Darpan Portal for bulk-water billing and collections, and showcased how Dhar has already\u00a0mapped executed pipeline network and assets on GIS layer in PM Gati Shakti portal. The district has also introduced\u00a0GIS-based grievance redressal, strengthening service responsiveness. He further noted a positive social impact \u2013\u00a0improved attendance of girls\u00a0in schools, attributed to better access to reliable drinking water at the household and institution level.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

          \n
        • Haridwar, Uttarakhand:\u00a0Shri Mayur Dixit, District Magistrate, presented detailed project data:\u00a0375 total projects,\u00a0299 physically completed, population and household figures, and\u00a0239,425 FHTCs provided. He described monitoring and implementation arrangements (regular site inspection, third-party inspection), quality assurance processes (TUV SUD\/QACA engagement), O&M arrangements (handled by Uttarakhand Jal Nigam\/Jal Sansthan pending State O&M policy), SHG engagement for FTK testing, rainwater recharge interventions and case studies on user charge collection at village level. Importantly, he noted that these interventions have contributed to a\u00a0reduction in water-borne diseases\u00a0in several areas. The presentation also detailed grievance-redressal and monitoring mechanisms.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

            \n
          • Davanagere, Karnataka:\u00a0Shri Gangadhara Swamy G.M., Deputy Commissioner, presented the district\u2019s\u00a024\u00d77 rural water supply initiative,\u00a0showcased as a model for the State. The district reported\u00a057 villages\u00a0(45 revenue villages and 12 habitations) already declared as 24\u00d77 supply villages and outlined the\u00a0Mission-100 approach, including feasibility assessments, baseline surveys and consumption analysis. He highlighted key outcomes from pilot villages, such as\u00a0reduction in non-revenue water,\u00a0lower water consumption,\u00a0reduced pumping hours, and\u00a0decreased electricity expenditure, alongside strengthened O&M practices.The presentation also noted broader community benefits, including a\u00a050% reduction in dengue cases,\u00a0significant reduction in leakages, and\u00a0lower instances of water contamination, supported by continuous, pressurised supply and improved system maintenance. Village declaration ceremonies with public representatives and community participation have further reinforced ownership and sustainability.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

              \n
            • Latehar, Jharkhand: Shri Utkarsh Gupta, Deputy Commissioner,\u00a0presented the district\u2019s\u00a0focused efforts on\u00a0handoverof completed schemes\u00a0to Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSCs)\u00a0through the Gram Sabha process, including preparation of\u00a0asset registers, completion certificates, clarification of O&M responsibilities, tariff awareness and strengthening community ownership.\u00a0He highlighted the crucial role of\u00a0Jal Sahiyas,\u00a0who support VWSCs in the O&Mof the schemes and are equipped with the technical skills required for\u00a0water quality testing, with\u00a04,800 tests\u00a0conducted\u00a0this year. He described the district\u2019s long-standing water-scarcity challenges prior to JJM interventions and the steps taken to ensure strong community participation and sustainability. The district also reported a robust grievance-redressal mechanism, with\u00a0280 grievances\u00a0received and\u00a0only 8 pending resolution, reflecting improved service delivery responsiveness.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              These presentations showcased both achievements and ongoing challenges, underlining the diversity of approaches adopted to accelerate progress under Har Ghar Jal.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

              In his concluding remarks,\u00a0Shri K.K. Soan, AS&MD – NJJM, noted that the Department is documenting the efforts and presentations shared in every District Collectors\u2019 Peyjal Samvad in the monthly newsletter,\u00a0Jal Jeevan Samvad<\/em>, so that districts can continually learn from each other\u2019s experiences. He highlighted the importance of\u00a0Jal Arpan, explaining that unlike Har Ghar Jal certification, it marks the formal handover of the entire system to the community after a minimum\u00a015-day trial run\u00a0so that villagers can see the system functioning, understand where to report shortcomings and ensure issues are addressed transparently. Strengthening village-level transparency, he said, is key to ensuring true\u00a0Jan Bhagidari\u00a0and enabling communities to participate meaningfully in managing their water systems. He expressed confidence that, with sustained district leadership and community ownership, the objectives of the Mission will be accomplished.<\/strong><\/span>
              \nThe session concluded with a vote of thanks by\u00a0Shri Umesh Bhardwaj, Deputy Secretary-NJJM, who acknowledged the proactive participation of district officials and reiterated DDWS\u2019s commitment to supporting states in ensuring safe drinking water for every rural household.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

              The 4th<\/sup>\u00a0edition of District Collectors\u2019 Peyjal Samvad was attended by the Additional Secretary & Mission Director, National Jal Jeevan Mission, Shri Kamal Kishore Soan, along with senior officials from the Department,\u00a0District Collector\/Deputy Commissioner\/ District Officials, Mission Directors and State Mission Teams, from across the country.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              DDWS holds 4th District Collectors\u2019 Peyjal Samvad Jal Arpan, Jal Bandhan and Jal Sankalp Reinforce the Spirit of Jan Bhagidari and Community Ownership Districts share field innovations in 24\u00d77 water supply, water quality, community engagement and O&M systems Posted On: 11 DEC 2025 6:05PM by PIB Delhi The Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (DDWS), …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":14733,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14732","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14732","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14732"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14732\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14735,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14732\/revisions\/14735"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14733"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14732"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14732"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14732"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}