India, Oct. 22 -- The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, organised a virtual conference with States and Union Territories to strengthen convergence between Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 and 16th Finance Commission grants for rural drinking water supply. The fourth conference in a series of thematic consultations following the Departmental Summit on Water 2026, held on September 1-2, focused on source sustainability, water security, financial planning and Gram Panchayat-led delivery of reliable rural water services.

Addressing the conference, DDWS Secretary Ashok K.K. Meena emphasised that the focus under the extended JJM 2.0 must move beyond creating infrastructure to ensuring its functi...