Page 237 - PDI Vol 2

Special Initiatives every household as per JJM norms or at higher capacity as
decided by the State / UT through functional house tap
The O&M of water supply assets in the villages is a
connections (FHTC). The Village Action Plan will include
professional and skilled activity. To achieve the adopted SLBs
cost estimates, implementation schedule, O&M arrangement,
and to ensure sustainable service delivery, Panchayat can opt
contribution from each household towards partial capital cost
for either carrying out management of the assets by itself or
and O&M, type design of Elevated Service Reservoir (ESR}//
outsource the services to service providers such as local
Sumps, washing and bathing complex with a toilet for poor
contractors, SHGs or other local groups trained in O&M.
landless families, cattle trough, grey-water management, source
Engaging local groups will generate enough potential for self-
sustainability measures, plan to maintain all water bodies in
employment of rural youth and development of
village, etc.. The VAP will be the main document of the village,
entrepreneurship. The professionalization of O&M services has
and on its approval by Gram Sabha, all funds from different
two major advantages: (a) Ensure professional management of
sources will be dovetailed to implement water related activities
water supply infrastructure (b) Create local livelihood
in the village The approved VAP shall be integrated with
opportunities. Before professionalization of O&M of water
GPDP. A model format of VAP of water supply is given in
supply, Panchayat should take up and complete the following
Annexure I
activities

a) Gain an understanding on the role and responsibilities GP Outcomes of LIF
in providing water supply Gram Panchayat is playing vital role for providing safe drinking
water and creating awareness to rural households, on
b) Constitute Village Water & Sanitation Committee and train
consuming safe drinking water. Indirectly Gram Panchayat is
its members
contributing socially and for economic growth of families, and
c) Prepare Village Action Plan as required under JJM it ultimately leads to community sustainability with in the

d) Create Awareness on community contributions for capital village. These benefits are,
cost of new schemes a) Reduction in medical expenses on account of water-borne

e) Fix the user charges towards O&M for cost recovery diseases.
f) Obtain administrative technical sanction for annual O&M b) Reduction in household debt on account of medical
from the competent authority expenses.

Connect to GPDP c) Improved productivity and financial gains on account of
fewer working days being lost due to water-related
The State Government shall empower Gram Panchayat (GP) to
illnesses.
plan, implement, manage, operate and maintain in-village water
supply system planning and implementation of water supply, its d) Financial savings due to avoiding purchase of water.
Operation and maintenance ( O&M), composition of Village e) Reduction in infant morbidity and mortality, and
Water and Sanitation Committee (VWSC) / Paani samiti, and
f) Promotion of gender equity as it relieves women of this
power to decide, levy, collect water service charges, etc. Every
time-consuming chore of fetching water.
GP with the assistance of VWSC has to prepare its Village Plan
(VAP) based on baseline survey, resource mapping and felt Reduction in medical expenses on account of water-borne
needs. The target is to provide 55 lpcd of water supply to diseases.

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Theme 4: Water Sufficient Village