The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, organised a one-day workshop of the Rural WASH Partners’ Forum (RWPF) on “Communication and PRA Tools to Promote Community Engagement (Jan Bhagidari)” at SCOPE Complex, New Delhi.
The event was graced by Union Minister of Jal Shakti, C.R. Patil; Secretary, DDWS, Ashok K.K. Meena; Additional Secretary & Mission Director, National Jal Jeevan Mission (NJJM), Kamal Kishore Soan; and other senior officials from the Ministry of Jal Shakti and partner ministries. Representatives from States, UTs, RWPF members, and development partners also participated.
The workshop began with the unveiling of several new initiatives by the Union Minister, including:
- Decision Support System (DSS) for Source Sustainability
- JJM Panchayat Dashboard
- First episode of Community Radio Programme – “Swachh Sujal Gaon Ki Kahani: Radio Ki Zubani”
- Handbook on Community-Managed Piped Water Systems – “Jan Bhagidari se Har Ghar Jal”
Speaking on the occasion, Jal Shakti Minister, C.R. Patil emphasised that Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) and Jal Jeevan Mission are true reflections of the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision that “Jan Bhagidari se hi Jan Kalyan sambhav hai.” He highlighted the empowerment of over nine crore women who have been freed from the drudgery of fetching water and lauded efforts to strengthen Gram Panchayats through digital innovation and transparency.
Empowering Communities through Technology and Participation
Ashok K.K. Meena, Secretary, DDWS, underlined that Jan Bhagidari is the foundation of the Jal Jeevan Mission, driven by community ownership and sustainability. He stated that people are not just beneficiaries but guardians of their water systems, and that technology and transparency remain central to the Mission’s progress.
The Decision Support System (DSS), now operational in 234 districts, integrates datasets on rainfall, groundwater, drainage, recharge potential, and water quality to guide data-driven planning for water source sustainability.
The JJM Panchayat Dashboard, accessible via the e-Gram Swaraj Portal, aims to enhance local ownership and decentralised monitoring. Over 67,000 Panchayat leaders have already logged in to share real-time updates on water supply, quality monitoring, and asset management.
Connecting Communities through Radio
The Community Radio Programme “Swachh Sujal Gaon Ki Kahani: Radio Ki Zubani” will reach audiences across 100 radio stations in multiple languages, using engaging characters to share real-life stories of rural transformation under the Mission.
Handbook for Community-Managed Water Systems
The newly launched Handbook “Jan Bhagidari se Har Ghar Jal” serves as a comprehensive guide for Panchayats, VWSCs, and SHGs on the management and ownership of rural water supply systems. It encourages local celebrations such as Jal Arpan, Jal Bandhan, and Jal Utsav to promote collective ownership and pride in water sustainability.
Collaborative Development of PRA Tools
During the workshop, eight thematic sessions enabled RWPF partners, State IEC teams, and thematic officers to co-create Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools covering aspects such as functionality assessment, source sustainability, maintenance, grievance redressal, and community-led celebrations.
In the concluding session, Kamal Kishore Soan called on all stakeholders to carry forward the spirit of Jan Bhagidari, ensuring that the new tools, handbook, and digital systems translate into tangible outcomes at the grassroots level.
The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks by Umesh Bhardwaj, Deputy Secretary, DDWS, reaffirming the Department’s commitment to “Jan Bhagidari se Har Ghar Jal” — ensuring sustainable and community-led water supply systems across rural India.
Source – sarkaritel.com
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