Shimla: A State-level review meeting on the implementation of the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB): Catch the Rain-2026 campaign was held here today. The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners-cum-District Nodal Officers, the Engineer-in-Chief, Chief Engineers, Superintending Engineers and other senior officers of the Jal Shakti Vibhag along-with representatives of concerned departments through physical and virtual mode.
Presiding over the meeting Principal Secretary (Jal Shakti) Dr. Abhishek Jain, who is also the State Nodal Officer for the campaign emphasised that water conservation must become a people’s movement. He directed the Deputy Commissioners to ensure active participation of Panchayati Raj Institutions, Urban Local Bodies, educational institutions, Self-Help Groups, Mahila Mandals, Yuva Clubs, NGOs and other community organisations so that the campaign could be transformed into a true Jan Bhagidari initiative.
He further directed that the campaign should be implemented through effective convergence with flagship programmes such as VB-G RAM G, Jal Jeevan Mission, PMKSY, AMRUT, CAMPA, Swachh Bharat Mission and other relevant state and centrally sponsored schemes to maximise the impact of water conservation activities.
The Principal Secretary stressed that priority should be accorded to the restoration, rehabilitation and optimum utilisation of existing water conservation assets, including traditional water harvesting structures such as Baoris, Khatris, Kuls, Pokhars and other locally significant water bodies.
He also directed to identify and implement small, need-based water conservation and groundwater recharge works at the village level through active participation of Gram Panchayats and local communities. Proper documentation, geo-tagging and timely uploading of all works on the designated JSJB Portal were emphasised to ensure transparent monitoring and reporting.
Recognising the importance of long-term planning, the Principal Secretary instructed that a dedicated shelf of water conservation works under VB-G RAM G should be prepared in every district to institutionalise rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge activities as part of annual development planning.
A detailed presentation was made on the progress of the special one-month nationwide campaign (4 July–4 August 2026), covering district-wise implementation, convergence with various central and state government programmes, activities undertaken across the State and the status of geo-tagging and uploading of works on the JSJB: Catch the Rain Portal.
The district-wise targets communicated by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti and the progress achieved against these targets was also reviewed in the meeting. The meeting also deliberated on the need for technical support to departments implementing water conservation works. It was decided that the Jal Shakti Vibhag would extend all necessary technical guidance and advisory support to departments requiring assistance in planning and execution of scientifically designed water conservation and recharge structures.
