Sajal Gram Puraskar - Draft Guidelines 2015

About Dataset

"Draft Guidelines on Sajal Gram Puraskar sets out the proposed framework for a national incentive award scheme under the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP). The award is intended for Gram Panchayats that demonstrate comprehensive and sustained drinking-water security for all households within their jurisdiction. The guidelines prescribe detailed eligibility conditions. A participating Gram Panchayat must have sustained its Nirmal Gram Puraskar status; provide metered household tap connections within premises; ensure 24×7 drinking-water supply; promote rooftop rainwater harvesting or recharge structures in all households; and adopt conjunctive use of groundwater, surface water, and rainwater. Groundwater is expected to contribute no more than 50% of the total water supply, while water-stressed areas should have community monitoring of groundwater levels and crop-water budgeting. The document also requires drinking water to meet the desirable limits under BIS IS 10500, and requires the Gram Panchayat or its Village Water and Sanitation Committee (VWSC) to manage the in-village water-supply scheme or distribution network for at least three years. The VWSC must have at least 50% women members, with representation of SC, ST, and minority communities in proportion to their population. Other requirements include availability of functions, funds, and functionaries for O&M; recovery of at least 50% of O&M costs through user charges in the first year; sanitary protection of water sources and catchments; regular water-quality monitoring through trained community workers and field test kits; water conservation; solid-waste management; household soak pits or community wastewater-stabilisation arrangements; and documented reduction in water- and sanitation-related diseases. The guidelines outline a multi-stage selection process involving scrutiny and field verification by Zilla Panchayats, independent verification by reputed water-sector institutions at the State level, review by State Governments, secondary assessment by independent evaluators or multidisciplinary teams engaged by the Government of India, and final selection by a National Committee on Sajal Gram Puraskar. The incentive pattern provides cash awards of ₹2 lakh for Gram Panchayats with population up to 2,000 and ₹4 lakh for those with population above 2,000. The incentive may be used to improve drinking-water facilities, water quality, maintenance, augmentation, and sustainability of water sources."