Chief Secretary chairs Apex Committee Meeting of State Water and Sanitation Mission.

Chief Secretary chairs Apex Committee Meeting of State Water and Sanitation Mission.
Leh, August 7, 2026: Chief Secretary, UT Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, chaired the Apex Committee Meeting of the State Water and Sanitation Mission (SWSM), Ladakh, to review the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and deliberate upon the proposed Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Policy aimed at strengthening rural piped water supply schemes across the Union Territory.
During the meeting, Commissioner/Secretary & State Mission Director, JJM Ladakh, Shurbir Singh, delivered a comprehensive presentation highlighting various mandated components suggested by the National Jal Jeevan Mission (NJJM) for incorporation into the Operation and Maintenance Policy, along with the proposed provisions under the Ladakh O&M Policy for Rural Water Supply Schemes.
The presentation covered the institutional framework and clearly outlined the roles and responsibilities of the State Water and Sanitation Mission (SWSM), District Water and Sanitation Missions (DWSMs), and Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs). Discussions also focused on the service delivery framework, utility development, sustainability of water sources, water quality, financial sustainability, human resources and skilling, water conservation, wastewater management, grievance redressal, penal provisions, and other core components necessary for the effective operation and maintenance of rural water supply infrastructure developed under the Jal Jeevan Mission in Ladakh.
The Apex Committee deliberated on several important agenda items, including the further processing of the draft O&M Policy for Ladakh Rural Piped Water Supply Schemes.
The meeting further reviewed key action points proposed by the National Jal Jeevan Mission, including compliance with the plan submitted under the Comprehensive Implementation and Review Plan (CIRP). Emphasis was also laid on prioritising the provision of functional household tap connections in villages falling under DA-JGUA, as well as geo-tagging of assets uploaded under Sujal Gaon IDs through the Sujalam Bharat App.
Further deliberations were held on the comprehensive advisory for organising Jal Arpan Diwas across all Har Ghar Jal certified villages, to promote community participation in the operation and maintenance of rural water supply schemes being handed over to the community.
The Chief Secretary stressed the importance of coordinated efforts among all stakeholders to ensure sustainable rural water supply systems, effective operation and maintenance of water supply assets, timely implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission initiatives, and achievement of the Mission’s objective of providing safe, adequate, and reliable drinking water to every rural household in Ladakh.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner/Secretary, & State Mission Director, JJM Ladakh, Shurbir Singh; Joint Secretary, Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, D. Senthil Pandiyan; Administrative Secretary, Rural Development & PR Department, Nidhi Malik; Administrative Secretary, Information Department, Baseer Ul Haq Chaudhary, Additional Secretary, PHE/I&FC, Dr. Mohammad Usman Khan, Chief Engineer, PHE/I&FC, Mohd Abbas, Joint Director Finance / Chief Accounts Officer, Finance Department, Jigmet Namgyal, Additional District Development Commissioner, Leh, Rigzin Spalgon, Director, Health Department, Tashi Thinles, JD Planning, Development and Monitoring Department, Abdul Hadi, Joint Director / Chief Planning Officer, Leh, Konchok Gyalson, Superintending Engineer, PHE Circle, Leh, Syed Mohammad, JJM PMU Team, All the Executive Engineers and others concerned stationed outside joined the meeting virtually.
Thanks & Regards,
Department of Information & Public Relations,
UT Ladakh