Overview The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) , under the Ministry of Jal Shakti , organized a one-day workshop on “Communication and PRA Tools to Promote Community Engagement (Jan Bhagidari)” on 12th November 2025 in New Delhi. The workshop aimed to strengthen community participation in the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and promote the sustainability of rural water supply schemes. Key Participants The event saw participation from: Union Minister of Jal Shakti: Shri C.R. Patil Secretary, DDWS: Shri Ashok K.K. Meena Additional Secretary & Mission Director, National Jal Jeevan Mission (NJJM): Shri Kamal Kishore Soan Senior officers from DDWS, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoAFW), Department of Water Resources, National Water Mission, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Central Ground Water Board (CWGB), India Meteorological Department (IMD), National Water Informatics Centre (NWIC), Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N) and National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC). Representatives from States and UTs, RWPF members, and development partners. Key Initiatives Launched The Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C. R. Patil , launched several key initiatives: Decision Support System (DSS) for Source Sustainability: A digital planning tool for data-driven decision-making. JJM Panchayat Dashboard: An interactive dashboard to empower Panchayats with real-time data access. Community Radio Programme – “Swachh Sujal Gaon Ki Kahani: Radio Ki Zubani”: A radio program to connect communities. Handbook on Community-Managed Piped Water Systems in Rural India – “Jan Bhagidari se Har Ghar Jal”: A guide for community-managed systems. Ministerial Address Shri C.R. Patil emphasized that the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) and Jal Jeevan Mission embody the vision of “Jan Bhagidari se hi Jan Kalyan sambhav hai.” He highlighted the positive impact on women's lives and the potential for increased productivity. The “Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari” initiative focuses on groundwater recharge and rainwater harvesting. Secretary, DDWS Address Shri Ashok K.K. Meena , Secretary, DDWS, stressed that Jan Bhagidari is the core philosophy of the JJM, designed as a bottom-up program built on community ownership and local decision-making. He emphasized that people are guardians of their water systems, not just beneficiaries. Decision Support System (DSS) The Decision Support System (DSS) is a digital planning tool integrating multiple datasets to guide data-driven decision-making for source sustainability. It is currently operational in 234 districts and will be expanded to all districts within the current financial year. Data Layers Integrated in DSS Rainfall (CGWB – Decadal Mean) Water level (CGWB – Decadal Mean) Slope (Digital Elevation Model – BISAG-N) Drainage and aquifers (NWIC) Recharge potential areas (CGWB) Land use and land cover (NRSC–NWIC) Water quality (CGWB) Future Enhancements to DSS Springshed data Criticality assessment of water sources Artificial recharge structures District-level rainfall data from IMD and Agriculture Departments The revised MGNREGA guidelines, mandating expenditure on water-related works, will complement the DSS, ensuring long-term source sustainability. JJM Panchayat Dashboard The newly launched JJM Panchayat Dashboard aims to strengthen data transparency, local ownership, and decentralized monitoring. It is accessible through the e-Gram Swaraj Portal , providing real-time data access for Gram Panchayats. Key Features of the JJM Panchayat Dashboard Real-time information on water supply status, quality monitoring, and community participation. Ability to view pipelines and assets tagged under PM Gati Shakti. Option to update details regarding Water Supply Operators. Access to IEC material, water quality data, and details of women trained in FTK testing. To date, 67,273 Sarpanch and Panchayat Secretaries have logged in through the e-Gram Swaraj portal. Community Radio Programme The Community Radio Programme “Swachh Sujal Gaon Ki Kahani: Radio Ki Zubani” aims to connect communities through radio. UPSC Relevance This event and the initiatives launched are relevant to GS2 (Government Policies and Interventions) and GS3 (Infrastructure, Conservation) . The focus on community participation, technology-driven solutions, and sustainable water management aligns with key UPSC syllabus areas.