Ministry of Jal Shakti Holds High-Level Brainstorming Session on Strengthening Water Governance and Service Delivery

New Delhi: The Ministry of Jal Shakti organised a high-level brainstorming session under the chairmanship of the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri C. R. Patil, to discuss strategies for strengthening water governance, enhancing service delivery, ensuring water security, and promoting the long-term sustainability of the water sector. The session was attended by the Ministers of State for Jal Shakti, Shri V. Somanna and Dr Raj Bhushan Choudhary, along with senior officials of the Ministry.

The meeting featured an open exchange of ideas on multiple aspects of water management, including drinking water and sanitation, river rejuvenation, irrigation efficiency, institutional capacity building, and the use of modern technology.

Addressing the participants, Shri C. R. Patil emphasized that water is essential at every stage of human life and called for ongoing improvements in service delivery, financial planning, and effective use of public resources. He highlighted the importance of community participation, water awareness at the school level, and scaling up successful initiatives across the country to ensure long-term sustainability of water-related programmes. He reiterated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government remains committed to delivering water and sanitation services through transparent, responsive, and citizen-focused governance.

The Ministers of State, Shri V. Somanna and Dr Raj Bhushan Choudhary, stressed the need for an integrated approach to water management, addressing floods and droughts comprehensively, utilising available data effectively, promoting rainwater harvesting, optimising surface and groundwater use, and strengthening preparedness for challenges posed by climate change.

The two Secretaries highlighted the importance of reinforcing service delivery frameworks, improving convergence among existing schemes, strengthening institutional mechanisms at all levels, enhancing capacity building at the grassroots, and ensuring that the benefits of flagship programmes reach citizens efficiently and sustainably.

It was observed that such structured discussions are essential for aligning priorities, identifying operational bottlenecks, and promoting coordinated action among stakeholders. The Ministry will compile the key suggestions and deliberations from the session for follow-up and further action in consultation with relevant departments and States.