Gram Panchayats to Take Charge of Rural Water Supply Systems; Social Audits to Ensure Transparency and Quality
TFP Bureau, Raipur, July 10, 2026: In a significant step towards ensuring the long-term sustainability and efficient management of rural drinking water infrastructure, a high-level meeting on the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Policy under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 was held today at Mantralaya (Mahanadi Bhawan). The meeting, chaired by Chief Secretary Shri Vikas Sheel, brought together senior officials of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department and Chhattisgarh Jal Jeevan Mission to deliberate on the policy framework and issue key directions for its implementation.
*Gram Panchayats to Manage Rural Water Supply Systems
At the meeting, Chief Secretary directed that all the Nal-Jal schemes established across the state will be operated in accordance with the prescribed government standards. He emphasised the need to formulate a comprehensive strategy to ensure the supply of safe drinking water through household taps every day to every rural household.
He further stated that the institutional management of all rural drinking water schemes would be transferred to the respective Gram Panchayats, which would receive all necessary support from the government. The operation and maintenance of these schemes will be carried out through Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs), ensuring greater community participation and local ownership.
*Mandatory to Conduct Social Audits and Gram Sabha Discussions
To strengthen transparency and accountability, the Chief Secretary instructed officials to conduct social audits to assess the proper functioning of drinking water schemes and verify the quality of water being supplied. He also directed that issues relating to drinking water supply under the Jal Jeevan Mission be made a mandatory agenda item in every Gram Sabha meeting, ensuring regular public review and community involvement.
*Focus on Water Meter Installation and Financial Sustainability
At this high-level meeting, detailed deliberations were held on several measures aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of rural water supply schemes. Discussions covered budget management for operation and maintenance, as well as the rational determination of water cess. Officials also explored the future installation of water meters, subject to budgetary provisions, to reduce water losses, discourage wastage and improve revenue collection. Detailed presentations were made on drinking water quality assessment, multi-tier monitoring mechanisms, compliance systems and community-based audit processes.
During the meeting, Public Health Engineering Department Secretary Shri Mohammad Kaiser Abdulhaque presented the draft Chhattisgarh Jal Jeevan Mission Policy, highlighting its key features and implementation framework. This high-level meeting on the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Policy under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 was attended by Panchayat and Rural Development Department Secretary Shri Bhim Singh, along with senior officials from the Jal Jeevan Mission, the Public Health Engineering Department, and other concerned departments.
