Significant progress has been made in providing drinking water in rural areas since independence, but water scarcity and quality of drinking water are from fully addressed. Round the year availability of drinking water and quality of drinking water are two important factors that have affected various Gram Panchayats differently depending upon various factors such as population, location of Gram Panchayats or different habitations with the GPs, seasons, monsoons, etc. The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS) is playing a major role in allocating funds to the provinces for managing rural water supply. However, managing rural water supply in India is a State subject. Ensuring clean water and sanitation for all was one of the 17 SDGs. For this to become a reality, a fundamental requirement is enhancing the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act prescribed that the powers and responsibilities of rural water supply be delegated to the lowest appropriate body that is close to the rural community. Since then, the State governments are looking up to the Gram Panchayats to operate, manage and maintain rural drinking water supply. An attempt has been made to discuss the problems faced by the GPs in the management and operation of rural water supply provided by the state government.
Water Supply, Gram Panchayats, Rural Community, Management
