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TitleHanding over of water supply schemes to communities in Northern Punjab, Pakistan : a case for collective action
Publication TypeMiscellaneous
Year of Publication1996
AuthorsAhmed, M, Khan, SR, Aftab, S, Naqvi, A, Pervez, K
Paginationviii, 50 p. : 1 photogr., 6 tab.
Date Published1996-04-01
PublisherMulti-Donor Support Unit
Place PublishedIslamabad, Pakistan
Keywordscase studies, community management, government organizations, maintenance, operation, pakistan punjab, rural areas, safe water supply, social aspects, sustainability, water committees, women
Abstract

The Government of Punjab has started a phased programme of transferring water supply schemes (WSSs) from the control of the Physical Health Engineering Department (PHED) to village communities. The theory is that with community mobilization and the subsequent establishment of village water committees, villagers would assume the financial and operational responsibilities for these schemes. The central objective of this study is to assess whether these transfers are sustainable, and if not, to make recommendations for sustainability. The findings are based on a sample of 50 schemes out of 110 transferred schemes with data collected from PHED officials and field staff, water committee personnel, male and female user groups and households. Research methods and the theoretical framework are outlined, followed by the findings of the study which focus on the process of scheme transfer, scheme management, community participation, collective action and beneficiary satisfaction. The causes behind schemes becoming inoperative and the determinants of sustainability are also discussed since only 14 out of the 50 sample schemes were sustainable. The concluding recommendations stress that there is much raw potential for collective action in village communities; that water committees play a central role in making schemes sustainable; and that, with training and some additional resources, PHED field staff can ensure a much higher success rate. The study has policy significance for thousands of other rural WWSs that the Government of Punjab would like to hand over to communities, and could extend to other social sector provisions such as education and health. References and appendices complete the study.

Notes21 ref.
Custom 1205.1, 822

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