Local Government Division
Ministry of L.G.R.D & Co-operatives
Purpose:
Safe water and sanitation are
essential for the development of public health. The Government’s
goal is to ensure that all people have access to safe water and
sanitation services at an affordable coast. To achieve this goal and
to ensure that development in the water supply and sanitation sector
is equitable and sustainable, formulation of National Policy for
Safe Water Supply and Sanitation is essential.
1. Background:
The Government started its
initial intervention in the water supply and sanitation sector with
the objective of gradually building an effective service delivery
mechanism about 62 years ago. After independence, the Government
laid emphasis on rehabilitation of damaged water supply and
sanitation services and installation of new facilities in rural and
urban areas through the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE).
Services were provided mostly free of charge. The role of users in
decision-making, cost sharing and operations and maintenance was
negligible. However, subsequently user participation increased
significantly. Rural communities are now responsible for operation
and maintenance of hand-pump tube-wells and receive training for the
purpose. The responsibility for installation, operation and
maintenance of urban water supply (excepting Dhaka, Narayangong and
Chittagong) was initially with DPHE only but now it is shared with
the Paurasabhas. Recent project-based activities in the Paurasabhas
and their involvement in planning, implementation and management
have had a positive impact on improvement of Paurasabha capacity.
Most of the Paurashabhas and Union Parishods now have Water Supply
and Sanitation Committees (WATSAN) comprising the user communities
for supervising water and sanitation related activities. In addition
to DPHE, the local Government Engineering Department (LGED) is also
involved in planning and implementation of water and sanitation
services in certain Paurasahas and growth centers identified by the
Planning Commission under selected projects. In 1983 Water Supply
and Sewerage Authorities (WASA) were established in Dhaka and
Chittagong cities. The responsibility of water supply and sewerage
and drainage in Dhaka city and water supply in Chittagong city now
rests with the respective WASAs. In the year 1990 Narayangong town
was brought under the jurisdiction of Dhaka WASA. In Dhaka city
water supply coverage is only 65% and sanitation coverage is around
72% of which 30% may be assigned to water borne sewerage. But the
average coverage conceals the intra-and inter-regional disparities.
The ratio of tube-well to persons is around 70 in the shallow water
table area; and 200 and 300 in the coastal and low water table areas
respectively. Pollution of surface water is increasing because of
imperfect water management and environmental pollution. The recent
detection of arsenic in ground water is an issue of grave concern.
To preserve environmental quality and mitigate arsenic contamination
research and field surveys are being carried out.
The Government is encouraging and supporting the involvement of
others partners, such as non-governmental organization’s (NGOs)
market-oriented business organizations and similar private
organizations in water and sanitation development. This combined
promotional campaign for better health and hygiene has increased the
demand for tube-wells and sanitary latrines. Due to increase of
private sector its capacity for production, installation and
maintenance of tube-wells and sanitary latrines has also increased.
Materials for installing tube-wells and spares for maintenance are
produced by private manufacturers and are available in the market in
abundance. The materials which were imported before are now mostly
manufactured in the country. A number of NGOs have devised and
implemented innovative and effective approaches for service
delivery.
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2. Overview:
The gradual success made by
Bangladesh in the provision of basic water supply services to its
rural population has earned plaudits. In terms of a service level
defined as percentage of population living within 150 meters of a
tube-well, the present rural water supply coverage is 16%(1) though
it increases 42% when ”home-made(2)” latrines are considered. The
urban water supply (3) and sanitation coverages are both around 50%
1. Rural and urban sanitation coverage is presently
defined as one sanitary latrine per house-hold.
2. Home-made latrines are defined as pit latrines
without water seal pans and without pit linings.
3. Urban water supply coverage is presently defined
as one house connection per household or one street hydrant per 100
people.
Although the achievement is
significant in the context of South Asia, it is recognized that the
goal of total improvement in general health and well being has only
been partially achieved. Incidences of morbidity and mortality from
water-borne diseases are still high and achievement in behavioral
changes in sanitation leaves much to be desired. Inequities in
access to water and sanitation services persist. Urban areas are
better served compared to the rural areas and in the rural areas the
poor enjoy fewer facilities compared to the rich. On the other hand,
the facilities provided are not used optimally and service
sustainability remains to be improved. Consequently, development
activities are hampered and efforts to be improve public health have
had limited effect. However, many development projects have
attempted to redress these inadequacies but these adopt divergent
approaches and the benefits are limited only within project
boundaries.
It is globally recognized that
physical provision of services alone is not a sufficient
pre-condition for sustainability or improvement of health and well
being of the people. Greater attention needs to be focused on
elements of behavioral changes of users and sustainability through
user participation in planning, implementation, management and cost
sharing. The need for change within the conventional programs are
recognized by the Government and all stakeholders in the sector. The
aim to bring about the changes calls for transition from traditional
service delivery arrangement. Institutionalization of strategic
partnership process between the central and local Government in
coordination with other organizations within the civil society is
one way of bringing about this change. This will result in the
introduction of a service delivery process whose focal point will be
the user communities. The change will necessitate the adoption of
new institutional and financial arrangements. The knowledge and idea
acquired from this new approach and experience could be reflected in
a comprehensive policy. The Government recognizes the urgent need of
a comprehensive national water and sanitation policy which could
reflect its commitment to pursuing a sustainable strategy and
incorporate the initiatives based on recent experiences. The
national policy shall provide a long-term framework for adoption and
implementation of action plans of the Government.
In the policy, awareness of the
longer term perspective is also important. In this perspective, it
will be easier to take appropriate actions within the regular
programme under normal circumstances. At the same time, it ill be
helpful in facing emergency situations. The national policy will
encompass a vision for the future in the light of which programmes
can be undertaken in a systematic manner.
Considering the above the
National Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Policy has been
formulated with the objective of making water and sanitation
services accessible to all within the shortest possible time at a
price affordable to all. Past experiences were reviewed to emphasize
the positive aspects while formulating the policy.
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3. Objectives :
The objectives of the “National
Policy for Safe Water Supply and Sanitation” are to improve the
standard of public health and to ensure improved environment. For
achieving these objectives, steps will be taken for:
a) facilitating access of all citizens to basic level of services in
water supply and sanitation;
b) bringing about behavioral changes regarding use of water and
sanitation;
c) reducing incidence of water borne diseases;
d) building capacity in local Governments and communities to deal
more effectively with problems relating to water supply and
sanitation;
e) promoting sustainable water and sanitation services;
f) ensuring proper storage, management and use of surface water and
preventing its contamination;
g) taking necessary measures for storage and use of rain water;
h) ensuring storm-water drainage in urban areas.
Within the overall
objectives the following specific goals will be targeted for
achievement in phases in the near future:
| i.
|
Increasing the present coverage of safe drinking water in
rural areas by lowering the average number of users per
tube-well from the present 105 to 50 in the near future. |
| ii.
|
Ensuring the
installation of one sanitary latrine in each household in
the rural areas and improving public health standard through
inculcating the habit of proper use of sanitary latrines. |
| iii.
|
Making safe
drinking water available to each household in the urban
areas. |
| iv.
|
Ensuring
sanitary latrine within easy access of every urban household
through technology options ranging from pit latrines to
water borne sewerage. |
| v.
|
Installing
public latrines in schools, bus stations and important
public places and community latrines in densely populated
poor communities without sufficient space for individual
household latrines. |
| vi.
|
Ensuring
supply of quality water through observance of accepted
quality standards. |
| vii. |
Removal of
arsenic from drinking water and supply of arsenic free water
from alternate sources in arsenic affected areas. |
| viii.
|
Taking
measures in urban areas for removal of solid and liquid
waste and their use in various purposes. Ensuring the use of
waste for the production of organic fertilizer (compost) in
the rural areas. |
4. Strategy:
The strategy of the
National Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Policy will be
developed on the following principles :
|
a) |
All sector development activities shall be planned,
coordinated and monitored on the basis of a sector
development framework which will be prepared after the
formulation of the Policy; |
| b)
|
Participation of users in planning, development, operation
and maintenance through local government and community based
organizations of the stakeholders; |
| c)
|
Development
of water supply and sanitation sector through local bodies,
public-private sector, NGOs, CBOs and women groups involving
local women particularly elected members (of the local
bodies in the sector development activities).; |
| d)
|
Gradual
community cost-sharing and introduction of economic pricing
for services; |
| e)
|
Assigning
priority to under-served and un-served areas; |
| f)
|
Adoption of
water supply and sanitation technology options appropriate
to specific regions, geological situations and social
groups; |
| g)
|
Local
Government institutions/ Paurasabhab has to bear increasing
share of capital cost; |
| h)
|
Improvement
of the existing technologies and conduct of continuous
research and development activities to develop new
technologies; |
| i)
|
Close
linkages between research organizations and extension
agents/implementing agencies; |
| j)
|
Social
mobilization through publicity campaign and motivational
activities using mass media among other means to ensure
behavioral development and change in sanitation and hygiene; |
| k)
|
Capacity
building at the local/community level to deal effectively
with local water and sanitation problems; |
| l)
|
Mobilization
of resources from users, GOB and development partners for
implementation of activities of the sector in a coordinated
manner based on targeted plan of action; |
| m)
|
Providing
credit facilities for the poor to bear costs of water and
sanitation service; |
| n)
|
Regular
qualitative and quantitative monitoring and evaluation to
review progress of activities and revision of the strategy
based on experiences; |
| o)
|
Wherever
feasible safe water from surface water sources shall be
given precedence over other sources; and |
| p)
|
With a view
to controlling and preventing contamination of drinking
water, regular and coordinated water quality surveillance by
Department of Public Health and Engineering (DPHE), National
Institute for Preventive & Social Medicine(NIPSOM), Atomic
Energy Commission and Department of Environment(DOE) and
random testing of quality of drinking water (including
bottled water) by DPHE, Bangladesh Standard Testing
Institute(BSTI) and DOE to determine the level of
contamination; |
| q)
|
Adoption of
necessary measures in urban areas to prevent contamination
of ground and surface water by solid and liquid wastes. |
5. Definition:
i. Safe water supply means
withdrawal or abstraction of either ground or surface water as well
as harvesting of rain-water; its subsequent treatment, storage,
transmission and distribution for domestic use.
ii. Sanitation means human excreta and sludge disposal, drainage and
solid waste management.
iii. Sector means the safe water supply and sanitation sector.
6. Scope:
This policy shall cover the
geographical area comprising Bangladesh.
7. Policy Principles:
Based on local and
international experiences, the following principles have been
adopted as the basis for policy formulation:
Basic needs – It is necessary to expand and improve
the water supply and sanitation services in order to satisfy the
basic needs of the people. The need to expand these facilities is
greater in the case of under privileged groups and regions.
The value of water – Water has an organic, social
and concurrently an economic value. To ensure that service provision
is viable, the price of water should reflect its economic value,
with the eventual objective of covering the cost of supply. However,
the transition from the current level of subscription to new rate of
payment should be gradual and there should be a safety net for
hard-core poor communities.
Participation of Users – Users are at the center of all
development activities. Effective use of resources and the provision
of appropriate service level is facilitated by user participation at
various stages of planning, implementation, operation and
maintenance.
Role of women – Since women play a crucial role in
water management and hygiene education at the household level,
recognition of women’s role will contribute to the overall
development of the sector.
Technology Options – Promotion of various
technology options will be sustainable for both water supply and
sanitation keeping the needs of specific areas and socio-economic
groups of people.
Investment – Investment in the sector should focus
on facilitating water and sanitation services, leading to
improvement of public health, well being of the people and economic
development. It is important to address the weaknesses on a priority
basis with emphasis on maintaining the operation of existing
services. At the same time further coverage, specially to the
under-privileged sections of the community, is necessary. Investment
projects in this sector will be successful if this take into
consideration the above-mentioned issue. The formulation and
revision of the project will also be easier if the project
incorporates the lessons learned and uses the feedback from the
field.
Integrated development – Isolated initiatives for
development of water and sanitation services generally lead to waste
of resources. To ensure best use of limited resources for effective
development, coordination is necessary among all tiers of the
government bodies, NGOs and other related parties including private
sector.
Capacity building – The capacity of the sector
should be expanded in order to improve and broaden the reach of
services it provides. This will require actions related to human
resource development, implementation of appropriate institutional
arrangements, active involvement of user groups, and new roles for
the government, local government bodies, NGOs and private
organizations. Decentralization of decision making, training at the
local level and local initiatives for resource planning are
essential for success.
Private sector – Many functions of the water supply and
sanitation sector can be under taken by private organizations. This
will promote increased service coverage and there by lessen the
burden on the government. It is necessary to strengthen and
administratively and financially enabling environment for the
private sector to participate and contribute to sector development.
Involvement of the private sector is essential establish a closer
relationship between the quality of services of the sector and its
financial viability.
Environmental integrity – It is desirable that all
development activities related to water supply and sanitation are
considered within broader environmental considerations.
Emergency response – All government and
non-government bodies should be prepared to take necessary measures
for immediate response before and after natural disaster.
Involvement of all other stakeholders is also necessary.
Holistic approach – Drinking water supply and
sanitation is a sub-sector and as much should be coordinated into
the overall National Health Policy, National Water Policy, National
Education Policy and National Environment Policy.
8. Policies
In general, the urban and rural
water supply and sanitation issues appear similar, but they do
differ in institutional aspects, and in content and magnitude. As
such, policies for rural and urban areas are presented separately.
8.1 Rural Water Supply
8.1.1
Communities shall be the focus for all water supply activities; all
other stakeholders including the private sector and NGOs shall
provide coordinated inputs into the development of the sector with
DPHE as the lead agency.
8.1.2 Local government bodies in village, union and
thana level shall have a direct role in planning, implementation and
maintenance of rural water supply and the activities of public and
private sector agencies will be coordinated accordingly.
8.1.3 As water is increasingly considered to be an
economic good as well as a social good, water supply services shall
be provided based on user demand and cost-sharing. In the near
future concerned communities shall share at least the following
portions of costs: (a) 50% for hand tube-wells in shallow water
table areas, (b) 25% for hand tube-wells in low water table areas,
(c) 20% for deep hand tube-wells and other technologies for
difficult areas.
8.1.4 User communities shall be responsible for
operation and maintenance of water supply facilities and shall bear
its total costs.
8.1.5 Women shall be encouraged and supported to
actively participate in decision making during planning, operations
and maintenance.
8.1.6 The rural water supply program shall support
and promote a range of technology options. Technological packages
and specifications for hardware and service levels shall be
formulated on the basis of experience, needs and result of research
and development. The experiences gained in this regard by DPHE,
Private Sector, NGOs, CBOs will be shared for appropriate programme
development.
8.1.7 During natural disaster, necessary measures
shall be taken on an emergency basis so that people have access to
safe water and do not have to drink contaminated water. Necessary
measures shall also be taken to prevent contamination and damage of
tube-wells during natural disaster. DPHE shall store enough
materials and spares to take immediate action for repairing or
installing tube-wells in collaboration with local bodies, NGOs and
CBOs. While the tube-wells installed immediately after natural
disaster will be free of cost, a part of rehabilitation of tube
wells will be charged according to the age of the tube-well damaged
or destroyed.
8.1.8 The capacity for qualitative and quantitative
monitoring, analysis of information and policy implementation of the
local government division will be improved.
8.1.9 Alongside the program for distribution of
hardware, emphasis will be given on publicity campaign and social
mobilization through training of volunteers at village level for use
of safe water for all purpose and water conservation.
8.1.10 Priority will be assigned to water supply in
difficult and under-served areas.
8.1.11 In each and every village of Bangladesh at
least one pond will excavated/re-excavated and preserved for
drinking water. Necessary security measures will be undertaken to
prevent water of the pond from contamination.
8.2 Rural Sanitation
8.2.1 Local
government and communities shall be the focus of all activities
relating to sanitation. All other stakeholders including the private
sector and NGOs shall provide inputs into the development of the
sector within the purview of overall government policy with DPHE
ensuring coordination.
8.2.2 The users shall be responsible for operation
and maintenance of sanitation facilities and will bear its total
cost.
8.2.3 Measures will be taken so that users can bear increased cost
of sanitation services. However, in case of hard core poor
communities, educational institutions, mosques and other places of
worship, the costs may be subsidized partially or fully. In public
toilets separate provisions shall be made for women users.
8.2.4 Behavioral development and changes in user
communities shall be brought about through social mobilization and
hygiene education in coordination with the Ministries of Health,
Education, Social Welfare, Information, Women & Children Affairs and
DPHE, NGOs, CBOs, local government bodies and other related
agencies.
8.2.5 Women shall be encouraged and supported to
actively participate in decision making during planning,
implementation, operation and maintenance.
8.2.6 The rural sanitation programme shall support
and promote a range of technology options for water and
environmental sanitation. Technology packages and specifications for
hardware and service levels shall be formulated. The experiences
gained in this regard by DPHE, NGOs, CBOs will be shared for
sustainable program development.
8.2.7 Use of organic waste material for compost and
bio-gas will be promoted and contamination of water by various waste
materials will be discouraged.
8.2.8 Within a specified period a legislation will
be enacted making use of sanitary latrine compulsory.
8.3 Urban Water Supply
8.3.1 In order
to make the water supply system sustainable water would be supplied
at cost. However, educational and religious institutions will be
provided with water as per existing government rules.
8.3.2 In the near future water tariff shall be
determined on the basis of the cost of water production, operation
and maintenance, administration and depreciation.
8.3.3 Water Supply, Sewerage Authorities (WASA)
shall be responsible for sustainable water supply in the
metropolitan areas where WASAs exist. Whereas in other urban areas
the paurasabhas with the help of DPHE shall be responsible for the
service.
8.3.4 WASAs and the Paurasabhas shall be empowered
to set tariffs, by-laws, appointment of staffs, etc. according to
their needs and in accordance with the guideline laid down by the
government.
8.3.5 WASAs and the Paurasabhas shall improve their
operational efficiency including financial management. In the near
future billing and collection targets will be 90% and 80%
respectively. WASAs and the Paurasabhas will take actions to present
the wastage of water. In addition they will take necessary steps to
increase public awareness to prevent misuse of water. Paurasabhas
will take appropriate measures to reduce unaccounted for water from
50% to 30% Dhaka WASA and Chittagong WASA will also lower their
unaccounted for water from the present level.
8.3.6 In order to promote operational efficiencies
the government’s development grant to the Paurasabhas shall take
into account the following:
a) water supply coverage in terms of area and
population;
b) amount off un-accounted for water;
c) increase in revenue income.
8.3.7 The role of women in planning, decision
making and management shall be promoted through ensuring increased
representation in management committees/boards (WASA/Paurasabhas).
8.3.8 Private sector participation will be promoted
through BOO/BOT and other arrangements. For this purpose
opportunities will be created for involving the private sector in
billing and collection. A guideline on private sector participation
in the sector will be prepared by the government.
8.3.9 During natural disaster WASAs and relevant
agencies shall take appropriate measures for providing safe drinking
water. This will include repairing and cleaning pipelines,
production well and other installations, emergency supply through
water trucks and other necessary measures. The government will
reimburse the cost of water supplied free of charge by the WASAs and
the Paurasabhas and other related agencies during emergency
situations.
8.3.10 Monitoring of water quality for the purpose
of ensuring an acceptable standard will be the responsibility of
DPHE, DOE, BSTI, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and CBOs and they
will send their report to the water quality control committee in the
local government division.
8.3.11 WASA and relevant agencies shall support and
promote any collective initiative in slums and squatters in
accessing water supply services on payment.
8.3.12WASA, DPHE, BUET and AEC shall conduct
research and development activities for the development of
appropriate technologies and other developments with special
emphasis on difficult and under-served areas. They shall share the
results of research and development and provide technical support to
the private sector.
8.3.13 Efforts shall be made to upgrade the
capacity of the Paurasabhas and WASAs for planning, designing,
implementation, management and human resource development and the
DPHE shall have appropriate institutional linkages for this purpose.
For future planning and strategy formulation regarding development
projects Local Government Division’s Monitoring, Evaluation &
Inspection Wing shall monitor the activities of the sector.
8.3.14 In consultation with relevant government and
non-government organizations DPHE, WASA and BUET will formulate an
appropriate training program and impart the same in a decentralized
manner.
8.3.15 The capacity of the Monitoring, Evaluation &
Inspection Wing of Local Government Division for qualitative and
quantitative monitoring, analysis of information, policy
implementation, evaluation and revision shall be increased.
8.4 Urban Sanitation
8.4.1 The
sanitation system shall have to be self-sufficient and
self-sustaining. Sanitary latrine in every household will be
promoted. Along with individual sanitation, public and community
latrines will be set up by City Corporation/Paurasabha and leased
out to private sector for maintenance.
8.4.2 The City Corporation or Paurasabhas shall be
responsible for solid waste collection, disposal and their
management. These organizations may transfer, where feasible, the
responsibility of collection, removal and management of solid waste
to the private sector. Where WASAs exists, they shall be responsible
for sewerage and storm water drainage systems.
8.4.3 The City Corporation or Paurasabhas shall be
empowered to set tariffs, by-laws, appointment of staffs, etc.
according to their needs and in accordance with the guidelines laid
down by the government.
8.4.4 The role of women in the process of planning,
decision making and management shall be promoted through their
increased representation in management committees/boards
(Paurasabhas/WASA).
8.4.5 Drainage system in the cities and
municipalities will be integrated with the overall drainage system
with the coordination of Ministry of Water Resources.
8.4.6 Private sector and NGO participation in
sanitation will be encouraged.
8.4.7 Behavioral development and changes in user
communities shall be brought about through social mobilization and
hygiene education in alliance with the Ministries of Health,
Education, Social Welfare, Information, Women & Children Affairs,
DPHE, NGOs, CBOs, local government bodies and other related
agencies.
8.4.8 In consultation with relevant government and
non-government organizations DPHE, WASA and BUET will formulate an
appropriate training program and impart the same in a decentralized
manner.
8.4.9 Department of Environment will be consulted
on solid waste management.
8.4.10 Measures will be taken to recycle, as much
as possible, waste materials and to prevent contamination of ground
water by sewerage and drainage.
9. Institutional
arrangement
As regards water supply and
sanitation sub-sector the Local Government Division will be
responsible for overall planning, identification of investment
projects and coordination of activities of agencies under it (viz.
DPHE, LGED, WASA) and local government bodies, private sector, NGOs
and CBOs. But each of the relevant organizations/institutions will
be responsible for its own activities. To coordinate, monitor and
evaluate the activities of the sector and to determine future work
programme Local Government Division will constitute a forum with
representatives from relevant organizations.
Except Dhaka and Chittagong
city areas DPHE will be responsible for the water supply and
sanitation of the whole country. In other urban areas the Department
of Public Health Engineering will solely or jointly with the
paurasabha be responsible for such services. In urban areas DPHE
will be responsible for assisting the Paurasabhas and City
Corporation (except in the cities of Dhaka and Chittagong) through
infrastructures development and technical assistance as may be
necessary. Besides, both in rural and urban areas, DPHE will
increasingly collaborate with private sector, NGOs and CBOs.
In particular foreign aided
projects where it is specifically required as a component of overall
infrastructure package, LGED may undertake water supply and
sanitation related activities. In such project-based cases LGED
shall assist the concerned Paurasabha in the implementation and
provide technical assistance.
Relevant WASAs will be responsible for water supply and sanitation
in Dhaka and Chittagong city areas. Involvement of the private
sector in these activities will be explored and examined.
Local Government bodies like
Zlla Parishad, Upazilla Parishad, Union Parishad and Gram Parishad
will be gradually provided with more scope to contribute in the
activities of this sub sector.
Congenial atmosphere will be
created and necessary support provided to facilitate increased
participation of the private sector, NGOs and CBOs in the activities
of the sector both in rural and urban areas.
Private sector and NGO
investment will be encouraged in manufacturing, sale and
distribution of different types of tube wells, sanitary latrines
etc. They will also be encouraged to participate in the installation
of piped water supply system where feasible.
All relevant organizations will
give emphasis on the reduction of dependence on ground water and
increased use of surface water. They will ensure storage, management
and use of surface water.
10. Policy
implementation
Drinking water supply and
sanitation is a sub sector within the broader sector of health,
environment and water and such as the National Policy for health,
environment and water.
Future investment projects in
the public sector shall be made within the framework of this policy
as far as practicable. Endeavours will be made to coordinate the
activities of private sector and NGOs through the policy. Projects
or activities undertaken at the level of the individual, community
or organization will be coordinated by the Local Government Division
within the framework of the policy.
Strategies will be formulated
in the light of policy at various levels in consultation with the
ministry of planning. WARPO under ministry of water research will
also have a role in formulating and implementing strategy. A
comprehensive strategic plan of operations shall be prepared and
investment projects identified. The process shall be participatory
and may involve dialogue with all stakeholders including development
partners. To enhance available knowledge and to fill information
gaps focus studies shall be undertaken with a view to improving
decision making. The policy planning, coordination and monitoring of
the sector activities will be the responsibility of local government
division. The local government division will have interaction with
the physical infrastructures division of planning commission for the
purpose of:
*. Reviewing on-going activities.
*. Planning programs in the water supply and sanitation sector for
the on-going five year plan (1997 - 2000) and the next five year
plan period;
*. Formulating guideline for allocation of specific activities for
the implementing agencies within the public and private sector (City
Corporations, Paurasabhas, DPHE, WASA, LGED, NGO etc) with cost
estimation.
Specific activities like
monitoring progress of on-going activities, strategic planning and
program formulation, etc. and their allocation among different
agencies(public sector, private sector, NGO, CBO etc.) will be as
initially discussed in paragraph 9 above.
The local government division
will liaise and negotiate with donors (bilateral, multilateral etc.)
through ERD for commitment of resources for the Sectoral Program.
Local government institutions and private organizations will also
mobilize resources at the local level through motivational
activities. The local government division will prepare Half Yearly
Report on the activities of the sector and submit to the concerned
authorities.
