Jal Shakti Ministry

Jal Shakti Ministry to launch digital system for rural water transparency

The Ministry of Jal Shakti is set to roll out an upgraded Rural Piped Water Supply Schemes (RPWSS) module to strengthen monitoring, transparency, and accountability in rural drinking water services under the Jal Jeevan Mission. The move marks a major step in the government's ongoing digital transformation of rural water governance. The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), which concluded weeks of deliberations on the initiative on Friday, demonstrated the new RPWSS module at a national meeting chaired by Ashok K K Meena, secretary of the DDWS. According to the ministry, the upgraded module will serve as a digital registry for rural piped water schemes by introducing unique RPWSS IDs that provide each scheme with a traceable digital identity, according to an official statement. The system is designed to enable real-time tracking, geo-tagging, and data-driven monitoring of water assets, enhancing transparency and efficiency in operation and maintenance. "The new RPWSS

Greywater reuse can save 30-40% of total water use: Ministry of Jal Shakti

The Ministry of Jal Shakti on Monday said that effective management and reuse of greywater could save up to 30-40 per cent of water consumption. Greywater is wastewater generated from kitchens, baths and laundries. The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) held a virtual workshop on 'Greywater Management and Reuse' as part of the run-up to the Sujalam Bharat Summit, scheduled for November-end under the chairmanship of Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil. Senior ministry officials, state nodal officers, sector experts and development partners attended the workshop, which featured presentations from Punjab, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana and Jharkhand, along with WaterAid India. The states shared community-led models and innovations at the national workshop. The models which were highlighted ranged from decentralised reuse technologies to panchayat-led initiatives designed to strengthen climate resilience and ensure water security. "Proper greywater management can help

Centre, Arunachal ink development package pact ahead of Upper Siang project

The MoU aims to boost livelihoods, infrastructure and market access in Siang, a strategically important region of Arunachal and comes ahead of the proposed Upper Siang multipurpose project

Centre refutes Mamata's claim on floods, says water release was regulated

Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil on Tuesday rejected West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's allegations of "deliberate flooding" in the state by the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), asserting that water releases from the Maithon and Panchet reservoirs were carried out scientifically and in coordination with all stakeholders. Responding to Banerjee's claim that the DVC was "anti-Bengal" and responsible for a "man-made catastrophe," Paatil said, "The decision to release water is taken by the Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee (DVRRC), chaired by the Central Water Commission (CWC), with representatives from the DVC and the state governments of West Bengal and Jharkhand." He noted that the Damodar basin received 815 mm of rainfall between May and July 2025, a significant surge compared to the previous years. "This resulted in water inflows into the reservoirs during June-July 2025 being 16 times higher than in 2024 and 43 times higher than in 2023," the minister said in

Punjab, Haryana agree on solution talks over Sutlej-Yamuna canal: CR Paatil

Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil on Thursday said the government is committed to assisting both Punjab and Haryana in finding a balanced solution to the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal dispute, noting that both parties have agreed to move forward with a solution-oriented approach. The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti had convened a meeting here on Wednesday to discuss the long pending inter-state water dispute. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his Haryana counterpart Nayab Singh Saini besides senior officials from both states, and representatives from the Centre attended the meeting. Paatil, who chaired the discussions, said the Ministry is providing all possible cooperation to both states for the equitable and coordinated management of water resources. "In Delhi, a significant meeting was held regarding issues related to the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal. The Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, is committed to assisting both states in finding a balanced solution. In the meetin

'Water won't go anywhere': Jal Shakti minister on Indus Waters Treaty

Referring to recent remarks by former Pakistani foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto, CR Patil said India is 'not afraid of false threats'

T'gana to protect state interests against Andhra's river-linking proj: Min

Telangana government on Monday said it would take all measures to safeguard the state's interests against the Godavari-Banakacharla river-linking project proposed by neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. Briefing reporters late on Monday after a state cabinet meeting, Information and Public Relations Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy said that Telangana government is not ready to forego "even a drop of water" from its share of Godavari river water and that it would take measures in accordance with law to protect the state's interests. Contending that the river-linking project is against the interests of Telangana, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy recently met Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil in Delhi and conveyed the state government's objections. Srinivas Reddy said the cabinet has decided to submit all details to the judicial commission, which is probing the alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram project built during the previous BRS government, as per the panel's request to do so befo

Centre utilised over 98% of water resources funds in FY25, shows data

The Jal Shakti ministry has utilised nearly the entire Central allocation for water resources schemes in the last fiscal, with 98.39 per cent of funds spent by the end of March, according to an official document. The document titled 'Report on Availability and Utilisation of Scheme Funds for 2024-2025 up to March 2025' shows details of expenditure of the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation under both Centrally Sponsored Schemes and Central Sector schemes. Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) are programmes funded mainly by the Central government but implemented by state governments, often requiring a matching contribution from the states. Central Sector schemes are fully funded and implemented by the Central government without any financial participation from the states. According to the document, against a Central budget estimate of Rs 13,431.48 crore for Centrally Sponsored Schemes, the actual expenditure stood at Rs 13,216.34 crore. In comparison

India lacks water management, not water resources: Jal Shakti minister

He highlighted that Amrit Sarovar, which aims to build water bodies in every district, has contributed to rainwater harvesting and water conservation across the country

Working on to ensure 'not even a drop' of water goes to Pak: C R Paatil

The decision was made following a militant attack on tourists in the Himalayan territory of Kashmir that killed 26 people, causing India to suspend a key river water sharing treaty with Pakistan

India open to global collaboration on water management: Jal Shakti Minister

India is ready to collaborate with other countries on water conservation efforts, Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil told the global leaders here during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. Participating in a discussion here during the five-day summit ending on Friday, Patil also listed out the sustainable water management practices adopted by the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India is ready to share them for the benefit of the world community, he told the global leaders present at the meeting. "India is prepared for collaborations on potential water management issues," he said and called upon the world to engage in water conservation efforts, highlighting the challenges that need attention. He also urged all nations to come forward for equitable water management. He reiterated India's commitment and readiness to promote global cooperation and initiate transformative discussions to ensure a water-secure future. "Prime Minister Modi takes this issue very seriously

Jal Shakti ministry eyes tap water connectivity in rural India by 2025

The Jal Shakti ministry has set its sights on 2025 to achieve the ambitious targets of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G) after falling short of the 2024 deadline to provide tap water connections to all rural households. The ministry also aims to ensure universal Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus status for villages while advancing ecological restoration under the Namami Gange Programme. Over 15.37 crore rural households out of a total of 19.36 crore have been equipped with tap water connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission. However, around four crore households remain uncovered. Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil expressed optimism about achieving full coverage, emphasising his ministry's continuous coordination with lagging states and Union territories. "All the four crore connections are at some level of completion, and though it is a state subject, we have urged all states and Union territories to accelerate their efforts to ensure 100 per cent ...

India holds meetings with Tanzania, Zimbabwe to bolster collaboration

India held high-level meetings with Tanzania and Zimbabwe to enhance collaboration in water resource management and development, Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil said. During his interaction with the delegation from Zimbabwe, led by Deputy Minister V P Haritatos, at the ongoing National Water Week-2024 here, Paatil said discussions were held on strengthening water management and driving agricultural reforms in the southern African country. "Haritatos emphasised the importance of enhancing Indian investments in Zimbabwe's water sector, highlighting the pivotal role Indian companies like WAPCOS can play," Paatil said in a post. "We assured the delegation of India's commitment to providing comprehensive technical assistance and fostering cooperation to address Zimbabwe's water-related challenges," he said. Ensuring food security and supporting sustainable growth through innovative solutions in irrigation system design, improved water supply and enhancing irrigation efficiency were key .

All should work for sustainable water management: Water resources secy

Achieving sustainable water management cannot be done by governments alone, a senior Jal Shakti ministry official said on Monday while emphasising the need for cooperation from industries, academia and civil society on the matter. A day ahead of the start of the eighth edition of India Water Week, Secretary of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Debashree Mukherjee said, "It is an effort to bring together multiple stakeholders, to look at, learn from each other and also try and find solutions to the issues facing us." The event, held once every two years, brings together various stakeholders from diverse fields to discuss sustainable water management. This year, the event will start on September 17 and continue till September 20. "This year, the theme is 'Partnerships and Cooperation for Inclusive Water Development and Management,' which underscores a fundamental truth that achieving sustainable water management cannot be done by governments alone. Water needs

Jal Shakti minister calls for widespread reuse of treated wastewater

Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil called for the widespread adoption of reuse of treated waste water during a meeting of the Empowered Task Force (ETF) on Ganga rejuvenation on Wednesday. The meeting, which was chaired by Paatil, saw the participation of senior officials from the Ministry of Jal Shakti and key ministries, along with state representatives from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, according to an official statement. Director General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Rajeev Kumar Mital, delivered a detailed presentation on the progress since the last ETF meeting, focusing on several critical areas such as the reuse of treated water, biodiversity conservation, and the remediation of polluted river stretches. The session also addressed the River Action Plan and natural farming initiatives to rejuvenate the river. Paatil underscored the need for close coordination among stakeholders to ensure timely completion of projects under the Nam

Delhi water crisis: AAP MLAs write to Jal Shakti Min, urge intervention

The AAP MLAs have written a letter to Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil urging his intervention to solve the water crisis faced by the national capital amid the prevailing intense heatwave. Calling the situation "very critical", AAP's chief whip in Delhi Assembly Dilip Pandey on Saturday said the Yamuna water issue was an inter-state issue that required coordination of the Jal Shakti Ministry. Pandey said that in the letter from the AAP MLAs, time has been sought to meet the minister for a discussion on the matter. The AAP leader also said that instead of indulging in politics, all parties should work for a solution to resolve the water crisis and provide respite to the people of Delhi. "The entire matter is related to intervene state coordination and without Centre's intervention no solution will come out," Pandey told a press conference. The ruling AAP has accused the BJP ruled Haryana of stopping Delhi's share of Yamuna Water. Delhi's Water Minister Atishi has claimed that wa

2024 Lok Sabha elections: Chasing water dreams in Rajasthan hamlets

Jal Jeevan Mission progress has been slow in Jodhpur; even in villages having pipe water connections, taps are running dry

NGT seeks response from Centre, Delhi govt on 2023 Yamuna floods

Delhi battled one of its worst flood-like situations in several pockets last year because of heavy rain, with more than 25,000 people being evacuated from the inundated areas

Drinking water access have reached 72% households in India: Union minister

Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Sunday said drinking water facilities have reached 72 per cent households in the country and the remaining will be completed by December 2024. When the Jal Jeevan Mission started in 2019, a little over 16 per cent of the households had access to drinking water facilities, Singh told a group of visiting journalists from Assam here. He emphasised that the implementation of the scheme is the responsibility of the state governments, and each state faces different geographical challenges and availability of water resources ranges from surplus to scarce. "We had prepared a guideline in consultation with the state governments and implementation of the scheme was done according to it", he said. Despite the challenges faced during two years of COVID, "I can say with pride that drinking water facilities has reached 72 per cent of the households", the Union minister said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged that each household will b

Jal Jeevan Mission achieves 72% rural tap water coverage, eyes 100% in 2024

Making substantial progress towards the government's ambitious Jal Jeevan Mission, approximately 72 per cent of rural households now have access to tap water connections, according to official data. In 2024, the Jal Shakti ministry faces the crucial target of achieving the 100 per cent coverage of tap water connection to every rural household -- a commitment made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019. A senior official expressed confidence that the government will reach the 100 per cent coverage goal by the end of the coming year. However, challenges persist in states like Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and West Bengal, where tap water connection coverage in rural households remains below 50 per cent, the data says. While nine states and Union Territories have already achieved 100 per cent coverage, the focus remains on extending this essential service to every corner of the nation. Simultaneously, the ministry's commitment to making villages Open Defecation Free Plus (ODF Plus) by next