PM to participate in Valedictory Session of Departmental Summit on Water Security on 2nd September

The Departmental Summit of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, scheduled for September 1-2, 2026, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending the valedictory session at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, marks a significant evolution in India's approach to water governance. This initiative represents the first in a series of departmental summits envisioned by the Prime Minister to operationalize the concept of 'Team India' and deepen cooperative federalism - a principle enshrined in Article 1 of the Constitution which declares India as a 'Union of States'. The summit brings together political leadership and senior officials from both Union and State governments, reflecting the constitutional mandate under Article 263 which provides for an Inter-State Council to investigate and discuss subjects of common interest between the Centre and States. Historically, water management in India has been characterized by fragmented approaches with water being a State subject under Entry 17 of the State List (List II) of the Seventh Schedule, while inter-state rivers fall under Entry 56 of the Union List (List I). This constitutional division has often led to implementation gaps and inter-state disputes. The Departmental Summit seeks to bridge this structural divide by creating a structured platform for joint deliberation on critical sectoral priorities. The timing is crucial as India faces severe water stress - according to NITI Aayog's Composite Water Management Index (2019), 600 million Indians face high to extreme water stress, and the country is projected to become water-scarce by 2050. The four focus areas of the summit address the complete water governance value chain. First, timely implementation of water infrastructure projects tackles the perennial issue of time and cost overruns in major irrigation and water supply projects. Second, 'Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari - Catch the Rain' campaign, launched in 2021, emphasizes community-driven rainwater harvesting - aligning with the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments that empowered Panchayats and Municipalities with water management responsibilities. Third, source sustainability of drinking water systems addresses the critical challenge of groundwater depletion, with India extracting 25% of global groundwater annually. Fourth, operation and maintenance of rural drinking water supply schemes under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 focuses on service delivery sustainability - the mission, launched in 2019, aims to provide Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) to every rural household by 2024, with JJM 2.0 (2024-25 to 2028-29) focusing on O&M and water quality. The significance extends beyond water sector reform. This summit model could become a template for other critical sectors like health, education, and agriculture, representing a shift from top-down central planning to collaborative federalism. It aligns with the 15th Finance Commission's recommendations for performance-based grants to states and the Aspirational Districts Programme's emphasis on outcomes. Economically, improved water security directly impacts agricultural productivity (employing 42% of workforce), industrial growth, and urban development. Socially, it addresses gender equity - women spend 150 million workdays annually fetching water. Internationally, it supports India's commitments under SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and the Paris Agreement's adaptation goals. Future implications include potential institutionalization of such summits as a permanent feature of Centre-State engagement, possible legislative reforms to harmonize water governance frameworks, and enhanced data-driven decision making through the National Water Informatics Centre. The summit's emphasis on 'measurable improvements in governance and service delivery' suggests a shift toward outcome-based budgeting and performance accountability - a governance reform long recommended by the Second Administrative Reforms Commission.