NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY, JODHPUR

SUMMER SESSION

(JULY – NOVEMBER 2018)

LOCAL SELF GOVERNANCE

ASSIGNMENT

ROLE OF PANCHAYATI RAJ INSTITUTIONS IN

IMPLEMENTATION OF CENTRAL RURAL SANITATION
PROGRAMME

SUBMITTED BY: SUBMITTED TO:

UTKARSH MR. OM PRAKASH GAUTAM

B.A. LL.B. (HONS.) | VII SEMESTER FACULTY OF LAW
ROLL NO. 1373
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………...1

PANCHAYATI RAJ INSTITUTIONS……………………………………………………...2

CENTRAL RURAL SANITATION PROGRAMM…………………………………….......2

ROLE OF PANCHAYATI RAJ INSTITUTIONS IN IMPLEMENTATION OF CENTRAL

RURAL SANITATION PROGRAMME……………………………………………………6

CONCLUSION……………………………………………………………………………...7

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 INTRODUCTION

Overall development of country is the main objective of Indian government since its
independence. In the earlier Plans the main thrust for development was laid on Agriculture,
Industry, Communication, Education, Health and Allied sectors but soon it was realized that
the all-round development of the country is possible only through the development of rural
India. Keeping this in view, Panchayati Raj Institutions have been introduced under the 73rd
Amendment Act of the Constitution of India in 1992. Rural Development includes measures
to strengthen the democratic structure of society through the Panchayati Raj Institutions
(PRIs). It also includes measures to improve the rural infrastructure, improve income of rural
households and delivery systems pertaining to education, health & safety mechanisms.
Government of India has taken many steps to develop rural India and for this, Department of
Rural Development has been setup under the control of Ministry of Rural Development. The
Panchayats are expected to play an important role in rural development in India, particularly
after independence. Plan documents of both the central and state governments and various
committees have emphasized the importance of these bodies in the polity. Five-year plans,
specially the second five-year plan, laid special emphasis on the role of Panchayats in rural
developments.

The main responsibility of the Panchayati Raj Institutions is to accelerate the pace of
development and involve all people in this process so that the felt needs of the people and
their development aspirations are fulfilled. The decentralized planning is a multi-level
planning process. It will have to start from lower level (Gram Panchayat), intermediate level
(Mandal Parishad) and higher level (Zilla Parishad). Panchayati Raj Institutions are expected
to play an important role in planning and implementing various developmental programmes.

Individual Health and hygiene is largely dependent on adequate availability of drinking water
and proper sanitation. There is, therefore, a direct relationship between water, sanitation and
health. Consumption of unsafe drinking water, improper disposal of human excreta, improper
environmental sanitation and lack of personal and food hygiene have been major causes of
many diseases in developing countries. India is no exception to this. Prevailing High Infant
Mortality Rate is also largely attributed to poor sanitation. It was in this context that the
Central Rural Sanitation Programme (CRSP) was launched in 1986 primarily with the

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objective of improving the quality of life of the rural people and also to provide privacy and
dignity to women.1

PANCHAYATI RAJ INSTITUTIONS

The Panchayat Raj Institutions have been playing a significant role in the rural development
of India. Since primitive times, it has introduced in different types. In British phase, Lord
Rippon was the viceroy. He was the first person who came out with a resolution on 18 May
1882 to provide local government, but unfortunately, he failed to do so. In India, Rajasthan
was the first times state launched Panchayat Raj in 1959, after the Balvantray Mehta study
team‟s suggestions. Then after the State of Maharashtra was formed on 1st May 1960. The
State Government had appointed a committee on “Democratic Decentralization” under the
leadership of Shri. Vasantrao Naik to study the subject of Panchayat Raj in all aspects.
Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) as units of local self-government have been in existence in
the country for a long time. However, the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act of 1992
formally established PRIs as a third level of federal democracy. The pattern adopted in the
three-tier system of Panchayati Raj included a Zilla Parishad at the District level, the
Panchayat Samiti at the Taluka level and Village Panchayat at the Village level.

CENTRAL RURAL SANITATION PROGRAMME

The Central Rural Sanitation Programme (CRSP) was launched in 1986 primarily with the
objective of improving the quality of life of the rural people. The concept of sanitation was
earlier limited to disposal of human excreta by cesspools, open ditches, pit latrines, bucket
system etc. Today it connotes a comprehensive concept, which includes liquid and solid
waste disposal, food hygiene, and personal, domestic as well as environmental hygiene.
Proper sanitation is important not only from the general health point of view but it has a vital
role to play in our individual and social life too. Sanitation is one of the basic determinants of
quality of life and human development index. Good sanitary practices prevent contamination
of water and soil and thereby prevent diseases. The concept of sanitation was, therefore,
expanded to include personal hygiene, home sanitation, safe water, garbage disposal, excreta
disposal and waste water disposal.

1
https://mdws.gov.in/sites/default/files/TSCGuideline2007

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A comprehensive Baseline Survey on Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in rural water
supply and sanitation was conducted during 1996-97 under the aegis of the Indian Institute of
Mass Communication, which showed that 55% of those with private latrines were self-
motivated. Only 2% of the respondents claimed the existence of subsidy as the major
motivating factor, while 54% claimed to have gone in for sanitary latrines due to convenience
and privacy. In the new format, CRSP moves towards a “demand driven” approach. The
revised approach in the Programme titled “Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC)” emphasizes
more on Information, Education and Communication (IEC), Human Resource Development,
Capacity Development activities to increase awareness among the rural people and
generation of demand for sanitary facilities. This will also enhance people’s capacity to
choose appropriate options through alternate delivery mechanisms as per their economic
condition. The Programme is being implemented with focus on community-led and people
centered initiatives. Children play an effective role in absorbing and popularizing new ideas
and concepts. This Programme, therefore, intends to tap their potential as the most persuasive
advocates of good sanitation practices in their own households and in schools. The aim is also
to provide separate urinals/toilets for boys and girls in all the schools/ Anganwadis in rural
areas in the country.

COMPONENTS

The Programme components and activities for are as follows:

A. Start-Up Activities

The start-up activities include conducting of preliminary survey to assess the status of
sanitation and hygiene practices, people’s attitude and demand for improved sanitation, etc.
with the aim to prepare the District TSC project proposals for seeking Government of India
assistance.

B. IEC Activities

Information, Education and Communication (IEC) are important components of the

Programme. These intend to create demand for sanitary facilities in the rural areas for
households, schools, Anganwadis, Balwadies and Community Sanitary Complexes. The
activities carried out under this compone behaviour as a way of life and thereby develop and
maintain all facilities created under the programme.

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 C. Rural Sanitary Marts and Production Centers

The Rural Sanitary Mart is an outlet dealing with the material hardware and designs required
for the construction of not only sanitary latrines but also other sanitary facilities, such as
soakage and compost pits, vermi-composting, washing platforms, certified domestic water
filters and other sanitation & hygiene accessories required for individuals, families and the
environment in the rural areas.

D. Provision of Revolving Fund in the District

Based on the successful initiative taken by Self Help Groups and Dairy Cooperative Societies
in arranging low / zero interest finance to their members for toilet construction in many parts
of the country, a sum of upto Rs 50 Lakhs, subject to the restriction of 5% earmarked for
alternate delivery mechanism (which includes the cost for setting up RSMs and PCs) may be
given to each TSC project as revolving fund. This revolving fund may be further given by the
Project Implementing Agency to Cooperative Societies or Self Help Groups whose
creditworthiness is established, for providing cheap finance to their members.

E. Construction of Individual Household Latrines

A duly completed household sanitary latrine shall comprise of a Basic Low Cost Unit with a
super structure. All existing bucket latrines in rural areas should be converted to sanitary
latrines. The programme is aimed to cover all the rural families. Incentive as provided under
the scheme may be extended to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, if the same is considered
necessary for full involvement of the community. The construction of household toilets
should be undertaken by the BPL household itself and on completion and use of the toilet by
the BPL household, the cash incentive can begiven to the BPL household in recognition of its
achievement.

F. Community Sanitary Complex

Community Sanitary Complex is an important component of the TSC. These Complexes,

comprising an appropriate number of toilet seats, bathing cubicles, washing platforms, Wash
basins etc, can be set up in a place in the village acceptable to women/men/ landless families
and accessible to them. The maintenance of such complexes is very essential for which Gram
Panchayat should own the ultimate responsibility or make alternative arrangements at the
village level.

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 G. Institutional Toilets

Children are more receptive to new ideas and schools/Anganwadis are appropriate
institutions for changing the behaviour, mindset and habits of children from open defecation
to the use of lavatory through motivation and education. The experience gained by children
through use of toilets in school and sanitation education imparted by teachers would reach
home and would also influence parents to adopt good sanitary habits. School Sanitation,
therefore, forms an integral part of every TSC Project.

H. Solid and Liquid Waste Management

One of the objectives of TSC is bringing about an improvement in the general quality of life
in rural areas. This objective cannot be met if the general cleanliness of villages is not
maintained properly. Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) are required to put in place
mechanisms for garbage collection and disposal and for preventing water logging. Upto 10%
of the project cost can be utilized for meeting capital costs incurred under this component.
The fun sharing pattern between the Centre, State and Panchayat / Community would be in
the ratio of 60:20:20. Under this component activities like common compost pits, low cost
drainage, soakage channels/ pits, reuse of waste water, system for collection, segregation and
disposal of household garbage etc may be taken up. Successful models may be further
replicated dovetailing funds from other Rural Development programmes. NGO cooperation
may be sought to develop / test / document / replicate such models.

I. Administrative Charges

The Administrative Charges include money spent on training, salary of temporary staff
deployed during project period, support services, fuel charges, vehicle hire charges,
stationery, monitoring & evaluation of TSC project. However, in any case no additional posts
shall be created nor separate vehicle purchased for the implementation of the TSC project.
But in order to implement the projects professionally, specialist consultants from the fields of
Communication, Human Resource Development, School sanitation & Hygiene education and
Monitoring may be hired for the project period. The fees of the consultants may be paid from
the administrative charges.

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 ROLE OF PANCHAYATI RAJ INSTITUTIONS IN
IMPLEMENTATION OF CENTRAL RURAL SANITATION
PROGRAMME

As per the Constitution 73rd Amendment Act, 1992, Sanitation is included in the 11th
Schedule. Accordingly, Gram Panchayats have a pivotal role in the implementation of Total
Sanitation Campaign. The TSC will be implemented by the Panchayati Raj Institutions at all
levels. They will carry out the social mobilization for the construction of toilets and also
maintain the clean environment by way of safe disposal of wastes. PRIs may engage suitable
NGOs for interpersonal IEC and training. Community Complexes constructed under the TSC
will be maintained by the Panchayats/Voluntary Organizations/Charitable Trusts. Panchayats
can also contribute from their own resources for School Sanitation over and above the
prescribed amount. They will act as the custodian of the assets such as the Community
Complexes, environmental components, drainage etc. constructed under the TSC. Panchayats
can also open and operate the Production Centers/Rural Sanitary Marts. Panchayats can play
a key role in promoting regular use, maintenance and up gradation of toilets and inter-
personal communication for hygiene education. Panchayats and NGOs who are in the
frontline of implementation have a key role in ensuring that safety standards are being met
with all components of TSC e.g. the distance between water source and a latrine – adhering to
the minimum distance for IHHL, school and AW toilets and community sanitary complexes;
regulating pit-depth, pit lining to prevent pollution, collapse of pit etc. The same will apply to
key hygiene behaviour such as keeping the environment around hand pumps / water sources
clear and tidy and free of human and animal excreta. Panchayats must also play a role in the
monitoring of the TSC programme. Both Block level and District level PRIs must regularly
monitor the implementation along with the concerned officials.

The role of PRIs in implementation if this scheme are

1. Total Sanitation Campain (TSC) is a community based programme where Panchayati

Raj Institutons are in the forefront.
2. As per TSC Guidelines, the implementation at the district level is to be done by the
District Panchayats. Panchayats at block and village level are to be fully involved for
implementation of the programme.
3. Where District Panchayat is not in a position to implement the programme, it is being
implemented by District Water & Sanitation Mission which is chaired by Chairperson

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 of District Panchayat and the Village Committees are chaired by the Chairpersons of
Gram Panchayats. In the later case, the Village Water & Sanitation Mission are part of
the Gram Panchayat.

CONCLUSION

The implementation of rural development programmes through the Panchayat Raj

Institutions has brought a radical change in the socio- economic conditions of the rural
people in the study village. The implementation of rural development programmes has
affected even the social and political affairs of the people. In the economic sphere, these
programmes have shaped an improvement in economic position of the village.

Indian society and culture values personal hygiene but gives little importance to clean and
healthy community environment. Human excreta is regarded as the most hated object and
anything connected with latrine is considered so defiling that one is supposed to take a bath
immediately after coming out of the toilet and before going into kitchen- due to psychological
and religious taboos. Sanitation is, therefore, regarded as a matter of individual initiative and
not a collective obligation of the community. Against this socio-cultural backdrop, rural
sanitation and particularly the agenda of encouraging women’s participation in sanitation
promotion and management has not been provided due attention.

The philosophy of Panchayat Raj is deeply steeped in tradition and culture of rural India. It is
by no means a new concept. Panchayat Raj provided a system of self-governance at the
village level. Panchayat Raj Institutions is the grass root unit of self-government. It has been
declared as the vehicle of socio-economic transformation in rural India. Effective and
meaningful functioning of these bodies would depend on active involvement contribution and
participation of its citizens. The role of such institutions is so vital in the rural development.