Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation hosted the 9th edition of Sujal Gram Samvad

The Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (DDWS) organised the 9th multilingual Sujal Gram Samvad, a virtual dialogue with eight Gram Panchayats (GPs) to share experiences under the Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0. Participants included GP representatives, Village Water & Sanitation Committee members, Jal Sahiyas, Anganwadi workers, students, state officials and senior officers. The forum highlighted community‑led operation‑and‑maintenance models, user‑charge collection, women‑led water‑quality testing, and source‑sustainability actions such as spring rejuvenation and convergence with forest and watershed programmes. Secretary Ashok K.K. Meena stressed that water and sanitation are devolved to Panchayati Raj Institutions under the 73rd Amendment and called for effective use of 16th and 17th Finance Commission grants.