Five Year Plans and Rural Water Supply in India: A Critical Analysis

Brij Pal

Department of Public Administration, S. A. Jain College, Ambala City 134003, Haryana, India

E-mail: drbrijpal@yahoo.com

Received 20 February, 2012; Accepted 04 March, 2012

Collectively, billions of dollars have been invested in the provision of rural water supply systems in developing countries like India over the past three decades. Although progress is being made and rates of coverage are increasing, users often find that, once installed, water supply systems are poorly maintained and eventually break down, leaving them with an unreliable and disrupted water supply. Supporting Rural Water Supply takes a critical look and asks why we have been unable to provide a sustainable water service to rural people for so long? In this paper, the historical development of rural water supply in ancient India and recommendations of various committees has been discussed in brief. An attempt has been made to highlight the fund allocation under various Five Year Plans.

Keywords: Water Supply, Plans, MNP, ARWSP, PRIs