Chandigarh, May 25:- Villages in Haryana will now have a major role in water management. A special initiative has been taken with the aim of developing rural water management in the state as a decentralized and community participation based model. Under the 'Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Policy of Rural Water Supply Schemes-2026', villages will be able to play more responsibility in the operation, maintenance and long-term sustainability of their water supply system.
During a review meeting here today, Chief Secretary Mr. Anurag Rastogi said that the state government is committed to strengthening safe, continuous, effective and citizen-centric drinking water services in the rural area. He directed the officers to develop model villages in every district for the effective implementation of this policy.
The Chief Secretary said that it is not enough to create infrastructure to provide safe drinking water, but strong arrangements for its long-term operation and maintenance are also necessary. For this, continuous monitoring, strong institutional support and active participation of the community are necessary, so that uninterrupted water supply can be ensured in rural areas.
Commissioner and Secretary, Public Health Engineering Department, Mr. J. Ganesan said that the Village Water and Sewerage Committees have been entrusted with important responsibilities under the policy. These committees will also do the work of preparing the water supply plan, monitoring, infrastructure management, grievance redressal, billing, consumer fee collection and maintenance of records. These committees will also monitor the repair works and maintenance activities and also establish coordination with the technical teams of the department.
The Chief Secretary directed that for effective implementation of the policy at the district level, all the Deputy Commissioners should hold regular meetings of the District Water and Sewerage Mission, so as to ensure better coordination between the Gram Panchayats, Village Water and Sewerage Committees and the concerned departments.
A feature of the policy is also to encourage participation of women in the policy-making process. Officials said that at least 50 percent participation of women has been ensured in the Village Water and Sewerage Committees. Women associated with self-help groups are also being actively involved in activities like distribution of water bills, collection of consumer fees, testing of water quality and redressal of grievances. This will not only strengthen service delivery but will also provide additional employment opportunities to rural women.
Chief Secretary Mr. Anurag Rastogi also reviewed the technology-based initiatives to increase transparency and efficiency in the water management system. Citizens are being provided with digital payment facility through 'Bharat Bill Pay' and other online platforms, which will make payment of water bills easier and faster.
In addition, an integrated grievance redressal system has also been developed through online portals and service apps, to ensure time-bound resolution of citizen grievances. A centralized grievance redressal mechanism has also been established through toll-free number 1800-180-5678. The role of Self-Help Groups, Village Water and Sewerage Committees and Public Health Engineering Department has been ensured in the resolution of grievances. In addition, the Department has been empowered to ensure redressal of citizen grievances within the stipulated time frame under the 'Right to Service Act'.
The meeting also reviewed the financial assistance and incentive framework developed under the policy for the purpose of operation and maintenance of rural water supply system. Under this, financial assistance will be provided to Gram Panchayats for repair and maintenance works, while an incentive mechanism has also been implemented to encourage collection of consumer fees. Officials said that a systematic 'fund flow mechanism' has been developed to ensure availability of resources for operation and maintenance activities at the village level.
Officials said that the 'Operation and Maintenance Policy-2026' is expected to significantly improve the efficiency, transparency and long-term sustainability of rural drinking water infrastructure. Also, it will strengthen the sense of ownership among the local communities.
Additional Chief Secretary, Development and Panchayat Department, Mr. Vijender Kumar, Director, Development and Panchayat Department, Mr. Anish Yadav and other senior officers were also present in the meeting.