1. Roles & Functions of the three levels of Rural Local Government in WATSAN Programme Arvind kumar REGIONAL WATSAN COORDINATOR B-TAST ( DFID- SWASTH)

2. 73rd Constitution Amendment Act, 1992 Water & Sanitation (WATSAN) was included in the 11 th Schedule. At the district level, Zila Panchayat implements the project. Similarly, at the Block and Village levels, Panchayat Samiti and respective Gram Panchayats involved in the implementation of WATSAN Programme. Gram Panchayats have the pivotal role in the implementation of the WATSAN Programme with VO/ NGOs/ to mobilize for the construction of toilets, sustainable operation & maintenance of water supply and also maintain the clean environment by way of safe disposal of wastes. They have the main responsibility in the O&M of the common facilities constructed.

3. Continue……  Panchayats can also contribute from their own resources for Mini water supply, School and Anganwadi Sanitation. Panchayats may also open and operate the Production Centres /Rural Sanitary Marts.  Rural Local governments can provide the following specific functions when scaling up water & sanitation Programme: strategy and planning, advocacy and promotion, capacity building, Supervision, Monitoring and evaluation, regulation, and coordination.

4. The Status of Rural local Government in India  Political decentralisation has been successful  Essential legal framework is in place.  Accountability is limited at local levels  Disadvantaged groups are represented less in local elected bodies.  Roles & Functions of the three levels of rural local governments lack clarification  Monitoring system need to be developed.

5. Committee to Implement WATSAN Programme.. Name of the Committee level District Water & Sanitation Mission/ CommitteeDistrict Block water & Sanitation CommitteeBlock Village Water & Sanitation CommitteeVillage

6. Role & Function of DWSM/DWSC  Formulation, Management and Monitoring of projects and progress on drinking water security and total sanitation in rural areas  Selection of agencies and/ NGOs and enter into agreements for social mobilization, capacity development, communication, project management and supervision  Sensitizing the Public representatives, officials and the general public  Engaging Institutions for imparting training for capacity development of all stakeholders, and undertaking communication campaign  Coordination of matters relating to water and sanitation between district representatives of Health, Education, Forests, Agriculture, Rural Development, etc as well as National programmes such as SSA, NRHM, ICDS, etc.  Interaction with SWSM, State Government and the Government of India

7. Role & Function of BWSC  Formulation, Management and Monitoring of projects and progress on drinking water security and total sanitation in rural areas  Selection of agencies and/ NGOs and enter into agreements for social mobilization, capacity development, communication, project management and supervision  Sensitizing the public representatives, officials and the general public  Engaging Institutions for imparting training for capacity development of all stakeholders, and undertaking communication campaign  Coordination of matters relating to water and sanitation between district representatives of Health, Education, Forests, Agriculture, Rural Development, etc as well as National programmes such as SSA, NRHM, ICDS, etc.  Interaction with DWSM & DWSC.

8. Role & Function of VWSC  Ensuring community participation and decision making in all scheme activities  Arranging community contributions to capital costs, in cash or kind (land, labour or materials) or both  Opening and managing bank accounts for depositing community cash contributions and for management of project funds that may be solely channelled through them  Signing on behalf of the community, various agreements with the DWSM or any Institutions / organisation working in the Panchayat  Planning of water and sanitation activities;  Procuring construction materials/goods and selection of contractors for construction activities related to RWS and Sanitation sectors  Supervision of construction activities related to RWS and sanitation sectors

9.  Signing off on all completed works and community development activities  Commissioning and eventual takeover of completed water supply and sanitation works through a joint inspection of DWSM /DWSC.  Creating awareness  Collection of funds through a tariff system for O and M of water supply and sanitation works  Managing and financing of O and M of the services, on a sustainable basis  Empowering of women of the villages for day to day O and M of the scheme and  Participation in HRD and IEC activities in other villages after completion of the scheme in own village. Continue…

10. Actions for success  Institutionalize and make routine of capacity development of local Government i.e. “horizontal learning” approach.

11. We need to shift from the “Blue print” approach to “Community Led Innovative” approach which is more flexible. THANK YOU