RAINWATER HARVESTING AND WATER CONSERVATION

The Ministry of Jal Shakti announced the launch of Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari: Catch the Rain (JSJB : CTR) on 1 June 2026, extending the JSJB programme and linking it with the Jal Shakti Abhiyan : Catch the Rain (JSA : CTR) campaign. JSJB : CTR mobilises community funds, CSR contributions and convergent financing from schemes such as VB‑GRAM G, AMRUT, PMKSY, CAMPA and Finance Commission grants to build low‑cost rainwater harvesting structures (borewells, recharge shafts, pits) for groundwater recharge. The initiative is monitored through an online portal (jsjb.mowr.gov.in). Annexure‑I lists state‑wise completed works under JSJB : CTR 2026 (total 133,724 structures) and under earlier JSJB 1.0 and 2.0 phases. The release also cites PMKSY‑HKKP assistance for Surface Minor Irrigation and Repair‑Renovation‑Restoration of water bodies, and reports that groundwater recharge rose from 432 BCM (2017) to 448.52 BCM (2025) with ‘Safe’ assessment units increasing to 73.14 %. Additionally, it provides MGNREGA water‑related expenditure for 2023‑27 across states (total ₹13,18,470.84 lakh).