Evaluate the role of Gram Panchayats in ensuring sustainability of rural drinking water supply schemes under JJM 2.0.

Q. Evaluate the role of Gram Panchayats in ensuring sustainability of rural drinking water supply schemes under JJM 2.0. (15 marks, 250 words)

Constitutionally empowered under Article 243G and Eleventh Schedule (Item 11), Gram Panchayats (GPs) are the institutional spine of JJM 2.0's shift from infrastructure creation to service delivery [1]. The Reform-Linked MoUs signed with Mizoram and Ladakh (6 May 2026) explicitly mandate a GP-led, service-based, community-centred water governance model [2].

Enabling roles GPs play - Ownership of O&M: GP sub-committees — Village Water & Sanitation Committees / Pani Samitis — run day-to-day operation, tariff collection and minor repairs, curing the "tap installed but no water" defect [1]. - Source sustainability: GPs anchor greywater management, aquifer recharge and local source protection at habitation level [1]. - Jan Bhagidari & transparency: community-led monitoring builds accountability; women's participation eases water-fetching drudgery (Jal Surakshit Mahila) [2]. - Federal fit: reform-linked conditionalities channel central funds through performing GPs [3].

Constraints on GP capacity - Weak technical, financial and staff capacity, especially in scattered NE and Himalayan habitations like Mizoram and Ladakh [2]. - Dependence on tied grants and irregular own-source revenue threatens post-construction O&M [3]. - Uneven devolution; source depletion persists despite 98%+ FHTC saturation [2][3].

On balance, GPs are necessary but not yet sufficient: sustainability hinges on their empowerment, not merely their designation. Convergent financing via 15th Finance Commission water-sanitation grants, capacity-building and Atal Bhujal-style source security can transform GPs into effective custodians, advancing 'Har Ghar Jal' and SDG-6 by December 2028 [3].

(~250 words)

Sources: 1. Cabinet approves extension of Jal Jeevan Mission up to December 2028 (JJM 2.0), PIB — shift from infrastructure to service delivery; O&M focus; source sustainability 2. Reform-Linked MoUs signed with Mizoram and Ladakh under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, PIB — GP-led community-centred model; NE/Himalayan terrain; Jan Bhagidari; FHTC saturation 3. Meghalaya becomes 12th State to sign Reform-Linked MoU under JJM 2.0, PIB — reform conditionalities linking central funds to State/GP performance