Rajasthan has launched the first edition of Rajasthan Peyjal Samvad, a new initiative aimed at strengthening community participation in rural drinking water governance under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). The programme seeks to create a direct platform where village representatives can share their experiences, challenges and suggestions, helping shape future water policies across the state.
Announcing the initiative, Vishan Rajan, IAS, Mission Director, Jal Jeevan Mission Rajasthan, said the programme reflects a governance model that prioritises continuous dialogue with citizens to improve public service delivery.
New Platform for Community-Led Water Governance
Rajasthan Peyjal Samvad marks a shift in the state’s approach to rural water management by moving beyond the creation of infrastructure and focusing on long-term, community-driven service delivery.
The initiative encourages greater participation by local communities in managing drinking water systems while promoting accountability, transparency and sustainable operations.
Officials said the programme represents a transition from measuring infrastructure creation to evaluating the quality and reliability of water services delivered to rural households.
Village Representatives Share Ground-Level Experiences
The inaugural dialogue brought together Sarpanches and members of Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) from Har Ghar Jal-certified Gram Panchayats, including Jaliya (Bhilwara), Kotdi (Pratapgarh), Banor (Jhalawar) and Runija (Deedwana-Kuchaman).
During the interaction, participants shared how household tap connections have reduced the burden on women, improved access to safe drinking water and strengthened community confidence through regular water quality testing.
The discussions also highlighted operational challenges faced by villages and showcased successful practices that could be replicated in other parts of the state.
Kotdi Model Highlights Community Participation
One of the key highlights of the programme was the presentation of the Kotdi Gram Panchayat model, which has demonstrated how active community participation can make rural water supply systems more efficient and sustainable.
Supported by UNICEF, the initiative has shown that empowered Village Water and Sanitation Committees can successfully manage operations, improve financial sustainability and ensure better service delivery at the local level.
The model is expected to serve as a reference for other Gram Panchayats working towards strengthening community ownership of water resources.
Addressing Rajasthan’s Water Challenges
Rajasthan continues to face significant water resource challenges, with more than 10% of India’s geographical area but only around 1% of the country’s surface water resources.
Officials emphasised that long-term water security cannot rely solely on infrastructure development and requires sustained community participation, local accountability and evidence-based policymaking.
Despite these challenges, the state has made notable progress under the Jal Jeevan Mission, with 13,850 villages now fully covered with Functional Household Tap Connections and 6,172 villages receiving Har Ghar Jal certification.
The state has also received ₹537.70 crore in Central assistance under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 to further strengthen rural drinking water infrastructure.
Monthly Dialogue to Improve Service Delivery
The Rajasthan Peyjal Samvad will now be organised every month, creating a regular platform for village communities to provide feedback on rural water services.
The initiative aligns with the reform-linked agreement under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, which promotes Gram Panchayat-led, service-oriented and community-centred water governance.
Officials believe that regular engagement with local communities will help refine policies, improve implementation and ensure that drinking water services remain reliable and sustainable over the long term.
Strengthening Rural Water Governance
The launch of Rajasthan Peyjal Samvad marks an important step towards making rural water governance more participatory and responsive.
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By placing community feedback at the centre of policymaking, the initiative aims to strengthen the delivery of safe drinking water, encourage local ownership of water infrastructure and support the long-term objectives of the Jal Jeevan Mission across the state.