The Union Minister for Jal Shakti recently inaugurated a two-day National Conference on Rural WASH Partners’ Forum (RWPF) with the theme ‘Accelerating Progress towards a Swachh Sujal Bharat’. This conference marks an essential step in achieving the objectives of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G), which are the flagship missions of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. The RWPF, established in collaboration with KPMG India, is a platform that brings together various organizations working in the rural Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector to foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and the development of scalable solutions.
India’s Progress in WASH Sector
India’s strides in the WASH sector have been commendable, owing to the collective efforts of the government, development partners, civil society, and communities. Under the visionary guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India achieved the remarkable feat of becoming Open Defecation Free (ODF) on 2nd October 2019. Additionally, more than 12.6 crore tap connections have been provided, and over 64% of villages are well on their way to becoming ODF Plus, signifying substantial improvements in rural sanitation and access to water.
The Role of RWPF Members
The Rural WASH Partners’ Forum plays a pivotal role in accelerating the progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen. By bringing together diverse organizations operating in the rural WASH space, the forum ensures better collaboration and synergy while avoiding duplication of efforts. The ground presence of RWPF members is crucial in establishing last-mile connectivity, ensuring that the benefits of these missions reach every rural household.
Initiatives Launched during the Inaugural Session
During the inaugural session of the National Conference on Rural WASH Partners’ Forum, several initiatives were launched to further enhance the implementation of WASH programs and promote best practices. Some of the notable initiatives are:
- Digital WASH Academy: This initiative aims to enhance the capacity of various stakeholders involved in water supply programs. Administrators, engineers, panchayat functionaries, technicians, sanitation workers, and other personnel will receive training and knowledge through the Digital WASH Academy, enabling them to contribute effectively to the success of WASH projects.
- RWPF Annual Yearbook and Web Page: The RWPF will document the work done by development partners across different regions and themes in an Annual Yearbook. Additionally, a dedicated web page will showcase the various initiatives, success stories, and best practices implemented by these organizations, thereby promoting knowledge sharing and learning.
- Swachhata Chronicles – Transformative Tales from India: This compendium will highlight 75 ODF Plus Best Practices, showcasing innovative approaches, measures taken to overcome challenges, awareness-raising efforts, special campaigns, and other endeavors undertaken by States and Union Territories to meet the goals of SBM-G Phase-II.
- Field Assessment Framework and Ranking Protocol of Swachh Survekshan Grameen (SSG) 2023: This detailed framework will define the criteria for ranking States and Union Territories in the upcoming Swachh Survekshan Grameen (SSG) 2023. The ranking protocol will encourage healthy competition among regions, motivating them to achieve higher standards of cleanliness and sanitation.
