The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti has urged States and Union Territories to strengthen convergence between Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 and 16th Finance Commission grants to ensure the long-term sustainability of rural drinking water infrastructure. More than ₹4.35 lakh crore has been allocated to Rural Local Bodies under the 16th Finance Commission framework, with nearly ₹1.74 lakh crore earmarked for water management and sanitation. The Centre is encouraging Gram Panchayats to integrate annual operation and maintenance plans into Gram Panchayat Development Plans, covering repairs, leak prevention, water quality, pump maintenance, electricity costs and staffing. Karnataka, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh showcased approaches involving water budgeting, GIS-based asset management, digital monitoring, user-charge collection and preventive maintenance. The initiative signals a shift from infrastructure creation towards reliable service delivery, stronger local accountability and sustainable financing, with regional consultations planned for November 2026 to review implementation challenges.
Source: Sarkaritel.com