The Forum – A Conversation on Swachh Bharat Mission and Jal Jeevan Mission

When: May 7, 2022
Where: India International Centre Annexe, New Delhi

Both the Jal Jeevan Mission and the Swachh Bharat Mission have made great strides in the WASH sector since their inception. Nearly 8.4 million households now have assured piped water supply in these 117 districts, an increase from 7% to 31% in 22 months since the Jal Jeevan Mission was launched in 2019. Currently in its second phase, the Swachh Bharat Mission has ensured over 67 thousand ODF plus villages. A crucial component common to both these initiatives has been a robust communication and partnership between the government and civil society organisations. 

Taking this collaboration forward, WaterAid India is facilitating a day-long conversation on May 7, 2022 at New Delhi on rural drinking water and sanitation with Ms Vini Mahajan, Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation and civil society organisations working in rural areas on drinking water and sanitation.

The main aim of the meet is to discuss possible pathways to solve critical issues that Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 are faced with. In addition, we also hope to identify policy changes that could help address some key concerns with regard to quality and equity. 

AGENDA 

9.30 – 9.45 – Welcome and Context Setting – VK Madhavan (Chief Executive, WaterAid India) 

9.45 – 11.15 – Three parallel conversations in small groups on: 

(a) Strengthening the institutional architecture and support mechanisms for implementation of JJM and SBM – moderated by Apoorva Oza (Board member, Aga Khan Rural Support Programme {India}) ;  

(b) Jal Jeevan Mission – moderated by Liby Johnson (Executive Director, Gram Vikas) and  

(c ) Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0  moderated by Sujoy Mojumdar (WASH Specialist, UNICEF)  

11.15 – 11.45 – Tea  

11.45 – 1.15 – Presentation of a summary of recommendations from each of the groups and feedback/suggestions from all other participants – Moderated by Dr MR Seetharam (Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, Vivekananda Memorial Hospital, Sargur) 

1.30 – 2.15 – Lunch 

2.15 – 3.30 – Presentations by representatives from each of the three sub-groups on recommendations to support and strengthening JJM and SBM with a focus on improving the institutional architecture, community participation, ownership and management, water quality, leaving no one behind and facilitating solid and liquid waste management – Moderated by VK Madhavan (Chief Executive, WaterAid India) 

3.30 – 3.45 – Tea  

3.45 – 5.00 – Responses by and an open interaction with Ms Vini Mahajan, Secretary, Drinking Water and Sanitation and Mr Arun Baroka, Special Secretary (SBM and CVO) – Moderated by Nicolas Osbert (Chief of WASH, UNICEF) 

5.00 – 5.30 – Tea