Parliament Question: Achievements in grassroots water conservation and JSJB awards

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3454 ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026 ACHIEVEMENTS IN GRASSROOTS WATER CONSERVATION AND JSJB AWARDS 3454 # SHRI AMAR PAL MAURYA: SHRI ASHOKRAO SHANKARRAO CHAVAN: Will the Minister of Jal Shakti be pleased to state: (a) whether Ministry has successfully achieved the milestone of creating over 35 lakh groundwater recharge structures across the country under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) initiative as of early 2026; (b) the manner in which inauguration of first-ever JSJB Awards in November, 2025 incentivised top- performing States like Maharashtra, Telangana and Chhattisgarh to further scale up community-driven rainwater harvesting; (c) the specific role Sarpanch Samvaad National Quality Conclave play in empowering Sarpanch as primary custodians of local water security; and (d) whether private sector investment for water rejuvenation projects are there following inclusion of FICCI and ASSOCHAM in 2025 National Water Awards and if so, details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY) (a) to (d) Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) initiative was launched in Surat, Gujarat on 6 September 2024. The initiative focuses on intensifying community action and mobilization to build low-cost rainwater harvesting structures. As on 20.03.2026 a cumulative of more than 46 lakh artificial groundwater recharge and storage works are reported under the JSJB portal. The top three performing States/Union Territories (UTs) of Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan were recognized and received citations and the top performing districts of these states were incentivized for their performance under JSJB 1.0. The incentive amount, as per the plan, is earmarked for water conservation structures and water conservation awareness activities, including Capacity building of stakeholders, only. As informed by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), the Sarpanch Samvaad platform is utilized to disseminate information to sarpanches regarding Jan Bhagidaari, nudge communities towards ownership of water supply assets, and create awareness about the reforms undertaken by DDWS. The platform is also effectively used to enable sarpanches and panchayat secretaries to actively participate in Jal Seva Ankalan, including the effective use of tools such as the Panchayat Dashboard. Under JSJB 1.0, FICCI and ASSOCHAM were recognized for their contribution in creation of recharge structures through Corporate Social Responsibility Funds (CSR). Furthermore, the JSJB initiative leverages community funds, individual donations, CSR Funds and others for construction of low-cost structures like borewells, recharge shafts, recharge pits, using locally available material, to harvest rainwater, to boost ground water level and provide local tailor-made solution to water issues. The convergence of fund including CSR funds is undertaken at district level and the water conservation structures are uploaded on the JSJB portal. *****