In a significant step towards strengthening service delivery & community ownership under the Jal Jeevan Mission, the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, today e-launched Jal Seva Aankalan, a Gram Panchayat-led digital drinking water service functionality assessment tool. The initiative marks a decisive shift from infrastructure creation to sustained service delivery, placing Gram Panchayats and village institutions at the centre of assessing the regularity, adequacy, quality and sustainability of drinking water supply in Har Ghar Jal villages.
Jal Seva Aankalan has been conceptualised as a community-owned self assessment, enabling villages to collectively reflect on their water service delivery systems rather than relying on infrequent external surveys.The tool was formally e-launched by Shri C. R. Patil, Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti, with around 10,000 representatives of Har Ghar Jal Gram Panchayats participating virtually.
The Hon’ble Minister emphasized that Jal Jeevan Mission is about delivering dependable drinking water services to every rural household on a sustained basis. He outlined the four key pillars — Political Will, People’s Participation, Stakeholder Collaboration, and Optimal Resource Use — and underscored that Jan Bhagidari is crucial for long-term sustainability. Jal Seva Aankalan empowers Gram Panchayats to become custodians of their own water supply systems and strengthens democratic decision-making through Gram Sabhas.
Why Jal Seva Aankalan Matters
With many Gram Panchayats having achieved Har Ghar Jal status, the focus has moved to ensuring regular, adequate, safe and sustainable drinking water supply. Jal Seva Aankalan replaces dependence on infrequent external surveys with a continuous assessment mechanism rooted in local governance.
The Assessment Process
The process begins with structured discussions involving Village Water & Sanitation Committee members, Panchayat Secretary, system operators and water users. The findings are placed before the Gram Sabha for deliberation and endorsement. Upon approval, the assessment is digitally uploaded on the JJM Panchayat Dashboard and publicly disclosed through platforms like eGramSwaraj & the Meri Panchayat App, with a 30-day citizen feedback window.
Jal Seva Aankalan is expected to anchor drinking water service assessment in Gram Sabha deliberations, enable early identification of challenges, improve transparency, support evidence-based planning, and reinforce community stewardship of rural water supply systems. All Har Ghar Jal Gram Panchayats are expected to complete Jal Seva Aankalan by 26th January 2026, reinforcing that rural water supply systems belong to and must be managed by the community itself.
