Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Paatil attended the Governance Now PSU IT Forum & Awards in New Delhi on 29 May 2026, where he felicitated public sector undertakings for outstanding contributions in digital transformation, cyber security, IT innovation, and technological excellence.

Context

Addressing the gathering, Minister Paatil described PSUs as 'powerful pillars of the country's development journey.' He emphasised their critical role in technology-driven good governance, digital empowerment, and innovation — noting that their efforts in water conservation, efficient resource management, and citizen-centric service delivery are 'giving new direction and momentum to nation-building.'

The minister's remarks, posted in Hindi on his official X account, carried a direct congratulatory message: 'सभी सम्मानित संस्थानों एवं अधिकारियों को हार्दिक बधाई एवं शुभकामनाएं' ('Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all honoured institutions and officers.').

Policy Backdrop

The forum sits within a decade-long push by the Indian government to digitalise public administration. The Digital India initiative, launched in 2015, set the template for e-governance and technology adoption across government entities, with PSUs expected to lead by example in their respective sectors.

In the water sector specifically, the Jal Jeevan Mission — launched in 2019 with the goal of providing piped water access to every rural household — has incorporated digital monitoring tools and IT-enabled resource management as core operational components. Minister Paatil, as head of the Jal Shakti Ministry, oversees both the mission and the broader push for data-driven water governance.

Across infrastructure ministries since 2014, successive administrative reforms have elevated cyber security and IT performance as benchmarks for PSU accountability, making forums such as this one a regular feature of the governance calendar.

Stakeholders and Impact

The PSUs recognised at the event operate across sectors that directly affect citizens — from water utilities and energy to transport and communications. For water-sector undertakings in particular, IT adoption translates into measurable outcomes: real-time leak detection, demand forecasting, and grievance redressal portals that reduce the gap between policy intent and household delivery.

Civil servants and PSU leadership attending the awards ceremony received public recognition for institutional performance, a signal that the government views digital capability as a core metric alongside financial results. Such recognition also incentivises peer organisations to accelerate their own technology roadmaps.

What's Next

Attention will now turn to the rollout of IT modules under the Jal Jeevan Mission and to parliamentary updates on PSU digital performance metrics. As the government approaches the next phase of its water infrastructure agenda, the integration of technology into utility management — and the accountability frameworks that accompany it — is expected to deepen. Minister Paatil's public endorsement of PSU innovation at a high-profile forum underscores that digital governance is no longer peripheral to infrastructure delivery; it is increasingly central to how outcomes are measured and rewarded.