PROJECT:

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Jal Nidhi /Sector Reform

 Jal Nidhi /Sector Reform (Swajal U.P. & DPMU Agra-Lucknow, U.P. Government) (2002-2005)

Government of India has launched reforms in the water supply and sanitation sector and as a part of the reforms initiative, demand responsive, community-centered programmes. The basic principle of the reforms is of community participation in the planning, implementation, operation and maintenance in the water supply and sanitation schemes, of its preference and affordability. The programmes implemented in a demand responsive manner, where the community is the forefront of decision making.

Objectives:

To improve the effectiveness of rural water supply and sanitation services through decentralization and increased role of PRIs and local communities in the state of Uttaranchal. The project is also expected to bring associated benefits, including improved health resulting from reduced water borne diseases, environmental sustainability through protection and management of water catchments areas and will being of the rural population, especially women through time saving in fetching water and community development activities. From a low water supply service coverage estimate of 50% , the program envisages achieving 72% coverage of the rural population by the end of the project. The target beneficiaries are about 20% of the 6.4 million rural populations that live in habitation categorized as NC or PC.

Activities:

Various activities undertaken with the active community participation are as under:

  • After the end of planning phase detailed project report and implementation phase proposal was prepared.
  • Started facilitation to UWSSCs in IP activities.
  • Group meetings and training sessions on various topics were imparted.
  • Organized clean-up campaigns.
  • Wall writings and paintings completed in   all habitations of the GPs
  • Empowerment of Self Help Groups
  • House hold latrines constructed by the community
  • 10% community contribution and one year O&M charges collected by the community.

Impact:

  • Demand responsive approach adopted by the community
  • Full participation of the communities by involving them in the selection, planning design, implementation, control of finances, and management arrangements of the drinking water schemes
  • Full ownership of drinking water assets with appropriate levels of Panchayats.
  • Operation and Maintenance of the water supply schemes and fixation of appropriate tariff by Panchayats/committee
  • Integration of health, sanitation and source conservation programme with water supply schemes. 

Monitoring:

The program was monitored by records, MPR, regular visits and timely reporting to DIA.

Geographical Area Covered:

IMPART served in three district of Uttar Pradesh 50 GP in Agra, 50 Gram Panchayat in Lucknow under Jal Nidhi program in Uttar Pradesh. Apart from this, Sector Program B-1A implementation phase started in 3 Gram Panchayts of Kashipur and Jaspur Block in district Udham Singh Nagar and 2 gram panchayat in Haridwar in Uttrakhand.

Uniqueness of Jal Nidhi/ Sector Reform Project:

Jal Nidhi focussed on drinking water but 10 % community contribution was collected in cash only. Apart from this, operation and maintenance charges were also collected from the users. Under the program community had the choice of selecting any drinking water supply option, whether they need OHT or the Hand Pump (India Marka -3) or both that was depend upon villager’s choice. The approach of Jal Nidhi was demand driven. The water schemes were built to keep in view the next 20 years.