New Delhi, Jan. 6 -- On December 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the operational guidelines of the Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to provide drinking water to 14.6 crore rural households. Keeping in line with the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution, the gram panchayats are expected to take the lead in the implementation of the programme. This, the government feels, will instil a "sense of ownership" of the programme among the local community, create an environment of trust, and bring transparency in the planning, implementation, management, and the operation and maintenance of water supply systems in the rural areas....