With summer round the corner and people in vast rural pockets set for facing acute drinking water crisis, the Odisha Government has decided to hand over management of piped water supply (PWS) projects to women self-help groups and village water and sanitation committees (VWSCs) for their smooth operations.
According to State Rural Development department, as on date, 9,618 PWS schemes are functioning in the State and the existing PWS schemes will be handed over to VWSCs and women SHGs of the villages by securing approval of the concerned gram panchayats.
The government has installed 3,95,920 tube wells and 9,618 PWS projects in the State. “The management of the rural PWS systems has been were handed over to respective gram panchayats including payment of energy charges and cost of consumables. But, it is found that lack of proper management of the rural piped water supply systems has resulted in disruption of drinking water supply to the rural people in some cases,” said Rural Development Secretary P. K. Mohapatra.
According to RD department, all repair works of PWS schemes will be carried out by the VWSCS and women SHGs. Rural Water Supply and Sanitation organisation will continue to provide technical support for restoration, rejuvenation and upgradation of piped water supply system in terms of preparation of design and estimate, technical sanction, work supervision water testing, water treatment and disinfections and when required.
Women SHGs will collect monthly users' fee and also collect Rs. 1000 as new drinking water connection fees per household, the department directed.
