Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav reviewed the progress and future roadmap of Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Two in a high level meeting with District Collectors and Divisional Commissioners of the state, focusing on groundwater recharge, river rejuvenation and strengthening community participation in water conservation.
The comprehensive review meeting was organised by the National Water Mission under the Department of Water Resources River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation of the Ministry of Jal Shakti in collaboration with the Government of Madhya Pradesh. The meeting brought together senior officials from both the central and state governments to assess the implementation of water conservation initiatives and accelerate district level action.
Prahlad Singh Patel, Cabinet Minister for Panchayat and Rural Development and Labour in the Government of Madhya Pradesh, also participated in the review. Senior officials present included V L Kantha Rao, Secretary in the Department of Water Resources River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Archana Verma, Additional Secretary and Managing Director of the National Water Mission, Rajesh Kumar Rajora, Additional Chief Secretary of the Water Resource Department in the Government of Madhya Pradesh, Dipali Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Sanjay Dubey from the Urban Development and Housing Department and P Narhari, Principal Secretary of the Public Health Engineering Department, along with other senior officers.
District Collectors from Khandwa in East Nimar, Rajgarh and Indore presented detailed reports during the meeting outlining the progress achieved at the district level and the proposed strategy for implementing the next phase of Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari. Their presentations highlighted initiatives focused on groundwater recharge, river restoration and community led water conservation activities.
Madhya Pradesh achieved the fourth position nationally under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari One, reflecting the state’s strong performance in water conservation efforts. Among the districts, Khandwa in East Nimar secured the first rank in the country, demonstrating effective district leadership and strong community engagement in conserving water resources.
Officials highlighted several initiatives undertaken by the state government, including large scale water conservation works carried out in forest areas and the Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan. The campaign has mobilised communities across Madhya Pradesh for the conservation of water bodies, revival of rivers and strengthening of local water sources.
The initiatives illustrate how locally adapted interventions and public participation can significantly contribute to groundwater recharge, sustainable water management and the restoration of river ecosystems.
Mohan Yadav reiterated the state government’s strong commitment to water conservation and emphasised that Madhya Pradesh will continue to play a leading role in national efforts to secure water resources. He noted that the state remains focused on strengthening community participation through programmes such as Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan while also ensuring the protection and cleanliness of rivers that originate from or flow through the state.
Addressing the district administration, C R Patil emphasised that under the leadership of Narendra Modi, Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari has evolved into a nationwide public movement aimed at transforming water conservation into a people driven initiative.
He pointed out that districts such as Khandwa have demonstrated how strong community participation can lead to exemplary results in conserving water resources and rejuvenating rivers.
C R Patil also referred to the Karmabhoomi Se Matribhoomi Abhiyan, under which members of the business community from Surat and other regions of Gujarat have contributed financially to water conservation efforts in their native areas. Through Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari, such contributions have also supported water conservation projects in Madhya Pradesh, highlighting the role of citizen participation and collective responsibility in securing water resources.
The Union Minister emphasised that funds allocated under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act should be effectively utilised for water conservation works before the arrival of the monsoon season. He urged district administrations to accelerate planning and execution to maximise the impact of these resources.
C R Patil congratulated Madhya Pradesh for its achievements under the first phase of the programme and expressed confidence that the state would further strengthen its performance under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Two through better convergence of government schemes, focused implementation and strong community participation.
The meeting concluded with a call for coordinated efforts by district administrations, state authorities and local communities to advance sustainable water management and ensure long term water security across Madhya Pradesh.
