1. National Conference on “Water and Sanitation for All in Madhya Pradesh: Opportunities and Challenges” Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 23rd September, 2010 At : Hotel Noor-us- Sabah, VIP Road, Bhopal

2. Under the 73 rd Amendment of Panchayati Raj Act basic responsibility of Water & Sanitation Management was given to Gram Panchayats and Gram Sabha Under the Act, Panchayats were given responsibility for Providing basic facilities to the citizens of the village – which include drinking water facility Panchayat also is given power to manage water resources and water distribution management so that water is available to each and every citizen of the village without discrimination Looking after & maintaining the overall cleanliness in the village. Establish and manage sanitation & sewage system at village level.

3. Village Health and Sanitation Committee Under the Panchayati Raj Act – Gram Sabha has been delegated a power to create certain committees for specific tasks. The major responsibilities of such committees are to work for the objective for which it is created and report to panchayat and Gramsabha on the same. VHSC is one such committee created to look after health and sanitation related issues at village level

4. Major responsibility of VHSC Analyze the health related situation in the village and see what kind of illnesses are more prevalent and find out reasons for the same. Based on the analysis, prepare a plan for the improvisation in the situation and get it approved by concerned departments. If responsibility given by Gram sabha – ensure availability of safe drinking water to the citizens of the village. Work for the proper sanitation and sewage facilities at village level. Prepare a plan for the use of untied fund provided to the committee and ensure optimal use of the fund.

5. Around 2143 toilets were constructed during the period from 2008-09 to 2010-11. Total Rs. 74,63,034/- were mobilized of TSC programme, which went in the form of the financial help to the families living under poverty line. Apart from government share, around RS. 27,19,500/- were mobilized from the community in the form of the toilets constructed by the people living above the poverty line. To achieve this goal of convergence with government programme total 320 district, block level government officials were oriented and sensitized Samarthan’s work and objective to help the convergence process. Achievements

6. At district and block level, programme has got its due acceptance. All government functionaries have started realizing the importance of the programme and acknowledging the help it has extended to TSC programme in fund mobilization. Programme has created certain models of Water & Sanitation Management with the community participation, which is visited by government officials for learning purpose. Mobilization cost to get the toilet construct comes around Rs. 1300/- per unit. Achievements

7. Rajukhedi – Model for sustainable water management through community participation Water supply scheme established during first phase in 2005 Community had a participation in form of labour & cash worth 40,000/- Panchayat contributed by establishing bore-well and motor. Water Aid contribution was of 1,60,000/- Water supply is continuous from last 5 years without interruption, while organization withdrew from the village in 2007. Rs. 25 is charged as water tax from each of HH. Total corpus is around 9000/- to manage the emergency expensis. Scheme is expanded to provide household level water which initially was mohalla wise stand post water supply. Total cost today the scheme is around 3,50,000/- Village has planned for recharging of the bore-well to ensure continuous water supply.

8. Didakhedi – Where there is a will, there is way A village remained un-noticed by block & district level officials. Largely remained devoid of any government schemes. Samarthan started to work in village in Dec 2009 and established mini-water supply scheme. Villagers contributed around 20,000 in form of cash & labour work, Panchayat contributed 40,000/- for establishing borewell and contribution by Water Aid was 1,93,000/- Around 30 families are benefited through the scheme and Rs. 50/- per month is collected as Water Tax. Total corpus with the village is 8,000/- to manage unplanned expenditure. Scheme is just 9 months old and managed by villagers. Has helped villagers – especially females to save the time and energy, which was spent in fetching the water from far off places.

9. Positive experiences of working with VHSC When work started, majority of committee members never knew to be members of such committee and hence defunct. Once they were oriented majority of them became very active by realizing their role and responsibilities as members of such committee. Majority of them were ready to work for the village, only difficulty was, they never knew their rights and responsibilities. Thus capacitating them has worked well to motivate them to work for the purpose.

10. As the VHSC was defunct, at major places the untied fund remained unspent, now the amount has started being claimed. As money has started coming to VHSC at village level confidence has started being built. Positive experiences of working with VHSC…

11. Challenges Many sarpanchs and secretaries don’t want such committees to get activated. At block and district level also – the officials don’t still have confidence in VHSCs and hence give the untied fund in installments Even for untied fund – there is so much guidance – informal – from block and district level to spend money on certain items only. Committee is asked for charges for the audit fees – which other wise should not be done as this is untied fund.

12. Challenges…….. Orientation done by government machinery is not very systematic and hence capacity building of VHSC is a major issue. Major responsibility of the VHSC is to ensure cleanliness at village level, but in absence of water – which is a major issue in the region, it is difficult to manage overall cleanliness at village level.

13. Key learnings There is no option of decentralized management of water and sanitation- strengthening Panchayat as implementing agency System capacities are of paramount importance to address significant gaps in sanitation coverage Water and sanitation as a right needs to be promoted rather than a basic service delivery programme- strengthening Gram Sabha to demand accountability and transparency