JalJeevanSamvad-September-2021-en

Jal Jeevan Samvad – September 2021 (Issue XII) presents the progress and implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission, including the status of Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) across States and Union Territories as of 30 September 2021. The issue emphasizes the Mission's shift from merely creating water-supply infrastructure towards ensuring long-term service delivery, functionality and assured water supply to rural households. A major theme of the issue is the role of community participation and women’s empowerment in rural drinking-water management. It discusses the role of Gram Panchayats, Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSCs), Pani Samitis and User Groups in planning, implementation, operation and maintenance of in-village water-supply systems. The issue particularly highlights women's participation in water-quality testing, village water management and operation of water-supply systems. The publication also covers capacity building and institutional strengthening, including training of engineers, local youth and women, the role of Key Resource Centres (KRCs), and the National Centre for Drinking Water, Sanitation and Quality. It highlights the importance of developing skilled human resources and strengthening the Public Health Engineering sector for effective implementation and long-term operation and maintenance of water-supply schemes. The issue further documents field initiatives from Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh and other States, including exposure visits, village-level campaigns, centralized water information and management systems, participatory mapping, workshops and community-led water-management activities. It also highlights the use of technology and digital governance, including water information systems and an IoT-based pilot project, alongside efforts to improve transparency, accountability, monitoring and cross-learning among stakeholders.