Block Resource Centers for rural drinking water and sanitation 2010

About Dataset

Guidelines for Setting up Block Resource Centres for Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation 2010 is a comprehensive implementation document issued by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation Ministry of Rural Development Government of India for establishing Block Resource Centres under the National Rural Drinking Water Programme and the Total Sanitation Campaign. The guidelines introduce Block Resource Centres as dedicated institutional support units at the block level to strengthen decentralized planning community participation capacity building and sustainable management of rural drinking water supply and sanitation programmes. The document explains that the National Rural Drinking Water Programme shifted the focus from providing infrastructure alone to achieving household drinking water security through demand driven planning community ownership and sustainable operation of water supply systems. It recognizes Gram Panchayats Village Water and Sanitation Committees and Gram Sabhas as key institutions for planning implementation operation maintenance and management of village water supply and sanitation services. Block Resource Centres are therefore established to provide continuous technical guidance awareness generation motivation training and handholding support to these local institutions. The guidelines define the objectives functions staffing pattern financing and monitoring arrangements of Block Resource Centres. Their responsibilities include facilitating formation of Village Water and Sanitation Committees conducting information education communication activities organizing training programmes preparing annual activity calendars supporting baseline and sanitary surveys assisting in preparation of Village Action Plans monitoring implementation of village water supply schemes coordinating water quality surveillance promoting social audits visiting schools for hygiene awareness coordinating with water quality testing laboratories maintaining programme information and supporting regular reporting through the Integrated Management Information System. Detailed provisions are provided for recruitment educational qualifications experience remuneration and responsibilities of Block Coordinators and Cluster Coordinators. The guidelines recommend engagement through nongovernment organizations or outsourcing agencies where required and prescribe induction training refresher training and continuous capacity development to strengthen technical knowledge communication skills and field level performance. Financial support for Block Resource Centres is provided through the five percent Support Component of the National Rural Drinking Water Programme and States may supplement these resources from their own funds. The document also establishes measurable performance indicators including village visits formation of Village Water and Sanitation Committees training programmes school awareness activities water quality testing and community participation. It clearly defines the responsibilities of District Water and Sanitation Missions State Water and Sanitation Missions and Block Panchayats for supervision monitoring fund management reporting and institutional support. Overall the guidelines provide a structured framework for strengthening local governance improving rural drinking water security promoting sanitation and hygiene awareness enhancing technical capacity and ensuring sustainable delivery of rural water supply and sanitation services through dedicated Block Resource Centres.