Notification regarding the Modified Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Policy for Water Supply Schemes in Lakshadweep, 2026 (Gazette Vol. LXII, No. 30).

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VOL. LXII No.30 TUESDAY 28th JULY, 2026/ 6th SRAVANA, 1948 (SAKA)

LAKSHADWEEP ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT CIRCLE OFFICE, KAVARATTI- 682555 04896-262262, 262338, email [email protected]

F.No.01/JJM/2024-25/677 Dated:23.07.2026

NOTIFICATION

In pursuance of the approval accorded by the Competent Authority the "Modified Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Policy for Water Supply Schemes in Lakshadweep, 2026" is hereby notified.

This policy will come into effect from the date of issue of this Notification

Sd/- C.N. Shajahan Superintending Engineer & Mission Director, JJM, UTLA

OPERATION AND

MAINTENANCE POLICY OF

PIPED WATER SUPPLY IN

LAKSHADWEEP

Lakshadweep Public Works Department,

UT OF Lakshadweep

July- 2026

1 Contents

2 Abbreviations .............................................................................................................................5 3 Definition of Terms used in the O&M policy ..............................................................................6 4 Chapter I- Introduction ...............................................................................................................9 4.1 Goal..................................................................................................................................10 4.2 Objectives of O&M Policy ................................................................................................10 4.3 Scope of the Policy ..........................................................................................................10 4.4 Need for O&M Policy .......................................................................................................11 4.5 Components of Operation and Maintenance ..................................................................11 4.6 Category of Water Supply Schemes ...............................................................................12 4.7 Organisation of Operation and Maintenance Policy ........................................................12 5 Chapter II- Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of Single Village Schemes (SVS) and In-Village Distribution Network (IVDN) ............................................................................................................13 5.1 Policy Statements for Operation and Maintenance of Single Villages Schemes and In- Village Distribution Network ........................................................................................................13 5.1.1 Water Source ...............................................................................................................13 5.1.2 Quality of Water Supplied: ...........................................................................................13 5.1.3 Waste Water and Grey Water Management: ..............................................................13 5.2 Water Supply Infrastructure .............................................................................................13 5.2.1 Water production through sea water desalination plant: .............................................13 5.2.2 Measuring local water supply through consumer meters: ...........................................13 5.2.3 Operation and Maintenance of desalination Plants: ....................................................14 5.2.4 Asset replacement in SVS: ..........................................................................................14 5.2.5 Measuring water consumption and losses: .................................................................14 5.2.6 Service Delivery: ..........................................................................................................14 5.3 Finance Management in O&M .........................................................................................14 5.3.1 Water tariff: ...................................................................................................................14 5.3.2 Payment of Water Tariff to VDP: .................................................................................14 5.3.3 Review of Tariffs: .........................................................................................................14 5.3.4 Billing and Collection:...................................................................................................15 5.3.5 Penal Charge on Consumers: .....................................................................................15 5.3.6 Consumer Service Charges: ........................................................................................15 5.4 Staffing, Capacity Building, IEC and Community Mobilization ........................................15 5.4.1 VDP level Training programmes: .................................................................................15 5.4.2 IEC and Community Mobilization:................................................................................15 5.5 Governance and Institution ..............................................................................................15 5.5.1 Decentralized service delivery and O&M:....................................................................15 5.5.2 Staffing Pattern: ...........................................................................................................15 5.5.3 Gram Sabha Meetings and Community Consultations: ..............................................15 5.5.4 Grievance Redressal Mechanism (GRM): ...................................................................15 5.5.5 Technical backstopping by LPWD: ..............................................................................161 3 THE LAKSHADWEEP GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY 5.5.6 Roles and Responsibilities of VDP regarding Operation and Maintenance: ...............16 5.5.7 Legal and Regulatory Frame work:..............................................................................16 6 Chapter III- Implementation Strategies for Operation and Maintenance of Single Village Schemes and In-Village Distribution Network ................................................................................17 6.1 Water Source ...................................................................................................................17 6.1.1 Source of Water Supply Schemes: ..............................................................................17 6.1.2 Quality of Water Supplied by VDPs: ............................................................................18 6.1.3 Source sustainability ....................................................................................................18 6.1.4 Annual Budgeting .........................................................................................................19 6.2 Water Supply Infrastructure .............................................................................................19 6.2.1 Single Village Schemes (SVS) and In- Village ............................................................19 Distribution Network (IVDN): ....................................................................................................19 6.2.2 Measuring local water supply through consumer meters: ..........................................19 6.2.3 Asset and Inventory: ....................................................................................................20 6.2.4 Assetreplacement of desalination plant and Distribution Network: .............................20 6.2.5 Measuring water consumption and losses: .................................................................21 6.2.6 Service Delivery: ..........................................................................................................22 6.2.7 Quantity of supply standard: ........................................................................................23 6.2.8 Emergency response and Disaster resilience in water supply system: ......................23 6.3 Finance Management in O&M .........................................................................................25 6.3.1 Water Tariff and user Charge: .....................................................................................25 6.3.2 Payment of Water Tariff to VDP: ................................................................................26 6.3.3 Billing and Revenue Collection: ...................................................................................27 6.3.4 Penal Charges for ......................................................................................................27 Consumers: ..............................................................................................................................27 6.3.5 Annual O&M Budget: ...................................................................................................28 6.3.6 Financial Audit:.............................................................................................................28 6.3.7 Periodic Review: ..........................................................................................................28 6.3.8 Financial Sustainability: ...............................................................................................29 6.4 Staffing, Capacity Building, IEC and Community Mobilization ........................................30 6.4.1 VDP level Training programmes: ...............................................................................30 6.4.2 IEC and Community .....................................................................................................31 Mobilization: .............................................................................................................................31 6.4.3 Jal Arpan: .....................................................................................................................31 6.4.4 Jal Utsav: .....................................................................................................................32 6.5 Governance and Institution ..............................................................................................32 6.5.1 Decentralized service delivery and O&M:...................................................................32 6.5.2 Staffing Pattern: ...........................................................................................................32 6.5.3 Gram Sabha Meetings and Community Consultations: ..............................................33 6.5.4 Grievance Redressal Mechanism (GRM): ..................................................................33 6.5.5 Citizen's Charter: .........................................................................................................35 6.5.6 Technical backstopping by LPWD: ..............................................................................352 4 THE LAKSHADWEEP GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY 6.5.7 Roles and Responsibilities of VDP regarding Operation and Maintenance: ...............36 6.5.8 Command and control centre, monitoring performance ..............................................36 6.5.9 Legal and Regulatory Framework................................................................................37 7 CHAPTER IV – ANNEXURES .................................................................................................39 7.1 Annexure 1: Protocol for Water Quality Monitoring .........................................................39 7.2 Annexure 2: Approved Water Tariff for Piped Drinking Water Supply Systems in Lakshadweep ..............................................................................................................................40 Notes............................................................................................................................................40 7.3 Annexure: 3 Citizen's Charter for Drinking Water ...........................................................41 Water Supply Timings: ....................................................................................................................41 Complaint Registration: ...................................................................................................................41 Service Delivery Timelines ..............................................................................................................42 Grievance Redressal and Escalation Matrix ...................................................................................42 Responsibilities of Consumers ........................................................................................................43 Responsibilities of LPWD ................................................................................................................44 Responsibilities of Village Dweep Panchayats (VDPs) ..................................................................44 Consumer Feedback .......................................................................................................................45 7.4 Annexure:4 Note on Metering ..........................................................................................45 7.5 Annexure 5: Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Between respective Assistant Engineers, LPWD and Village Dweep Gram Panchayath on Community Ownership for Effective Management and Operation & Maintenance in Piped Water Supply Schemes at………………… Islands ……Lakshadweep ..........................................................................................................49 7.6 Annexure: 6 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Handing Over Piped Water Supply System from PWD, toVillage Dweep Panchayat ........................................................................52 7.7 Annexure: 7 Log Book Format for recording DesalinatedWater Consumption in kL (OHT Level) 54

7.8 Annexure 8: Roles & Responsibilities of SWSM, DWSM, VWSCLPWD Officials, and other Departments ................................................................................................................................55 7.9 Annexure 9: Note on Trainings at UT Level ....................................................................56 7.10 Annexure 9.1 Reporting Format for Training Achievement .............................................57 7.11 Annexure 10: Consumer Bill Model- VDP Level .............................................................58 7.12 Annexure 11: Format for Annual O&M Budget at Village Dweep Panchayat (VDP) Level 59

8 CHAPTER V– Powers, Functions, Roles and Responsibilities of key stakeholders related to Operation and Maintenance of Water Supply Schemes ................................................................61 8.1 Village Dweep Panchayat: ...............................................................................................61 The VDP shall responsible for the distribution of safe drinking water to the entire households coming under its purview.............................................................................................................61 8.2 Gram Sabha:....................................................................................................................61 8.3 Gram Panchayat : ............................................................................................................61 8.4 Executive Officer: .............................................................................................................62 8.5 State Water and Sanitation Mission (SWSM)..................................................................63 5.5.1 The Roles & Responsibilities of the State Water & Sanitation Mission (SWSM) are as follows ......................................................................................................................................638.6 District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM) ...............................................................64 3 5 THE LAKSHADWEEP GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY 8.6.1 Role & Responsibility of DWSM ..................................................................................65 8.7 Village Water and Sanitation Committee (VWSC) ..........................................................66 8.7.1 Functions of VWSC ......................................................................................................66 8.8 Domestic and Non-Domestic Consumers .......................................................................67 8.8.1 New Consumer Connections: ......................................................................................67 8.8.2 Consumer service charges: .........................................................................................68 8.8.3 Disconnection of consumer connections: ....................................................................68 8.8.4 Reconnection of consumer connections:.....................................................................68 List of Tables

Table 1: Implementation strategy-Water source for SVS and IVDN ...................................................... 17 Table 2 : Implementation strategy-Water supply infrastructure for SVS and IVDN ................................ 19 Table 3: Implementation strategy-Finance Management for SVS and IVDN.......................................... 25 Table 4: Implementation strategy- Staffing, Capacity Building, IEC and Community Mobilization for SVS and IVDN ........................................................................................................................................ 30 Table 5: Implementation strategy-Governance and Institution for SVS and IVDN ................................. 32 Table 6: Parameters for assessing water quality at island OHT ............................................................. 39 Table 7: Guidelines on Domestic Water Metering ............................................................................... 46 Table 8: Log Book Format for recording Desalinated Water Consumption in kL ................................... 54 Table 9: Roles & Responsibilities of LPWD Officials, Other Departments ............................................ 55 Table 10: Tentative training module at UT level .................................................................................. 56 Table 11: Reporting Format for Achievement under Training ............................................................... 57 Table 12: Consumer Bill Format ........................................................................................................ 58 Table 13: Format for O&M budget at VDP level ................................................................................. 59 List of Figure

Figure 1: Components of Operation and Maintenance .......................................................................... 124 6

3 Definition of Terms used in the O&M policy

1 Administrative Approval: Formal approval by the competent administrative authority in a department to execute certain specified works or project or scheme at a stated amount.

2 Consumer Service Charges: Charges approved by the State Water and Sanitation Mission (SWSM) Apex Committee for application fee, security deposit, new connection charge, reconnection charge, name change charge and other consumer services.

3 Down time in operations: Down time in operations refers to the lack of pumping and distribution of water, due to reasons such as lack of power supply, low yield of water in the source, defunct pumping machinery, operator error, poor maintenance and lack of finances for operation and maintenance.

4 Financial Sustainability: Financial sustainability refers to the capacity of a Gram Panchayat to raise income from the distribution of water to cover expenses and generate a surplus to meet contingencies.

5 Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC): Functional Household Tap Connection means a household level tap connection through which 18:55 LPCD to the household having bathing quality wells (18 LPCD) and without bathing quality wells (55 LPCD) under Jal Jeevan Mission

6 Governance: Governance is the way rules, norms and actions are structured, sustained and regulated for operating and maintaining a water supply scheme.

7 Information, Education Communication (IEC): Information, Education and Communication, abbreviated as IEC, is a strategy to spread awareness through communication channels to a target audience to achieve a desired positive result. The desired positive results in the context of O&M policy may be summarized as 100% FHTCs, habitual payment of O&M tariff and disciplined use of treated water together with metered consumption of water at the consumer levels.

8 Institutional arrangements: Institutional arrangements are generally understood as a set of agreements on the division of respective responsibilities of agencies, departments, and or project teams.

9 In-Village Distribution Network (IVDN): IVDN refers to the In-Village Distribution Network for water supply within a VDP/Village/island receiving potable water supply from a source to household.

10 Jal Jeevan Mission: Jal Jeevan Mission is a Government of India programme, envisioned to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections to all households in rural India.

12 OHT - Village level Over Head Tank is a small storage reservoir for supplying water to the village/island community

13 Operation: Operation refers to the routine activities and procedures that are implemented to ensure that the water supply system is working efficiently.

14 Operation and Maintenance Pentagon: 'Operation and Maintenance Pentagon' is a term similar to Asset Pentagon (natural, physical, human, finance and social capitals). O&M Pentagon thus refers to essential capital base required to operate and maintain a water supply scheme and will include natural (Water), physical (Infrastructure built for the water supply scheme), finance, human and governance cum institutional capitals. The current O&M Policy is developed around the O&M Pentagon.

15 Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI): Panchayati Raj is a system of rural local self- government in India, established across states of India by the acts of the state legislature to build democracy at the grass root level. PRIs have constitutional mandate through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992.

16 Policy: Apolicy is a statement of intent and is implemented as a procedure or protocol by the Government of Lakshadweep

17 Potability: Potable water is defined as water that is suitable for human consumption, meeting physical, chemical, bacteriological standards for drinking or cooking as per BIS 10500 (2012) in the context of India.

18 Single Village Schemes (SVS): Single Village Schemes are drinking water supply schemes, drawing water from a local source, and supply water to a village(island) community, appropriately establishing and employing simple water supply infrastructure.

19 Social Capital: Social capital is the sum total of trust, cooperation, interpersonal relationships in a society and a shared sense of identity, understanding, norms, values and reciprocity.

20 Specification: Specification means a particular and detailed list or account of an item or ofwork to be done or of goods to be supplied in carrying out a contract. 'Specification' is provided in a document, which is, as a rule, prepared to accompany a set of drawings, to explain, materials to be used and method of construction to be carried out.

21 Strategy: Strategy is a perspective plan consisting of vision and direction. Strategy in the context of the O&M policy means a clear understanding of the water supply sector, a clear sense of where the sector should reach, an assessment of obstacles and risks standing between the present and the vision, a plan about how to approach the challenge and risks and a specific course of action to follow to achieve the vision.

compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. From an institutional perspective, sustainability denotes the continued and steady sustenance of an institution, while from a service perspective, sustainable service is a level of service that is steady and continues over a design period, which holds good in the case of a water supply service.

23 Technical backstopping by LPWD: Technical backstopping refers to the professional and technical support and advice provided by LPWD to VDPs in Lakshadweep with regard to the operation and maintenance of water supply schemes.

24 Timing of water supply; Timing of water supply refers to the time of distribution of water at the household level in islands.

25 Village Water and Sanitation Committee (VWSC): VWSC is a village level committee, constituted by the Gram Panchayat at the Village level or VDP level to coordinate, manage, operate and maintain water supply schemes and sanitation.

26 Meter reader: Meter reader is a local person appointed by Gram Panchayats in Lakshadweep to operate, maintain and support the management of water supply systems in islands/ habitations.

27 Water Tariff: Tariff approved by the SWSM Apex committee and notified through Govt orders, including fixed and volumetric charges.

28 "Water Supply System" means the piped water supply system in the water supply area from the intake and up to household level, including the meters installed at the individual customer end.

29 State Water and Sanitation Mission: SWSM is an apex committee headed by the Advisor to the Hon'ble Administrator and Secretary (works) as Convener and Secretaries of all major departments are its members to provide policy guidance and for overall planning, strategizing of implementation of JJM.

30 District Water and Sanitation Mission: DWSM is a committee headed by District Collector and Executive Engineer, LPWD as member Secretary to prepare and finalize District Action plan of FHTC.

31 Nal Jal Mitra: Trained skilled person able to carry out minor repairs and maintenance, including preventive maintenance, of the piped water supply scheme(s) in their village/island.

32 Legal and Regulatory Framework: The legal and regulatory framework comprises the Acts, Regulations, Government Orders, notifications, standards, technical manuals, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and institutional arrangements governing the planning, operation, maintenance, monitoring and regulation of drinking water supply services in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep.

Operation and Maintenance Policy for Piped Water Supply, Lakshadweep

Preamble

Operation and Maintenance Policy forLakshadweep provides policy statements, under five components: (a) water source, (b) water infrastructure, (c) finance, (d) human resources and (e) governance cum institutional components, collectively referred as the O&M pentagon. This document summarizes the operation and maintenance policy statements, strategic actions to operationalize the policies, besides providing formats, notes and narrations to elaborate the strategic operationalization. The document deals with Single Village Schemes (SVS) in- Village Distribution Network (IVDN).

The goal of the O&M policy is, 'sustainable and inclusive service delivery in drinking water supply for every household in Lakshadweep. Objective of the policy is to improve institutional capacity and human resources of LPWD, VDPs and VWSCs to provide efficient, effective and sustainable drinking water supply services and to clarify institutional roles and responsibilities of key sector stakeholders.

4 Chapter I- Introduction

Water supply sector is of paramount importance to UT of Lakshadweep, as the population accounts for approximately 100% of the population. A paradigm shift has become inevitable so as to move from infrastructure-based water supply approach to improving service levels, strengthening decentralized institutions, governance, policy initiatives, and regulatory mechanisms. Groundwater based water supply schemes are not recommended by the Central ground water board as the pumping of ground water in large scale using high HP motors will lead to sea water intrusion and distraction of limited ground water floating as thin layer on the brackish water. Hence the administration decided to provide desalinated water generated from the Sea water desalination plants to the Households @ 18:55 LPCD to the household having bathing quality wells (18 LPCD) and without bathing quality wells (55 LPCD) under Jal Jeevan Mission. The Ministry of Jal Shakti approved the state action plan and annual action plans. The requisite quantity of desalinated water will be achieved only after the installation of additional desalination plants of capacity 1.5 Lakh liter per day in the Islands Kavaratti, Minicoy, Amini, Agatti & Androth. It is therefore decided to provide the available desalinated water to the households through household tap connections and quantity will be enhanced subsequent to theinstallation of additional desalination plants. The available quantity of desalinated water in islands is tabulated below by accounting water from existingand ongoing desalinated water.

(TABLE-1) The requirement for the purpose other than Drinking, Cooking & utility washing to be met by the household from their own dug wells. Water quality laboratories are functioning9 `` 11 THE LAKSHADWEEP GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY Operation and Maintenance Policy for Piped Water Supply, Lakshadweep in all islands except Bitra for ensuring the quality of water being used. The laboratories are opened to the general public. Water quality of Bitra Island is ensured by the Chetlat Laboratory and Field Test Kits are also provided to all Islands. ASHA workers in Islands are also trained for testing water quality using FTKs.

To run water supply schemes and facilitate effective service level for the end consumers, an efficient O&M arrangement is required. Currently the water is supplied through street taps and the entire O&M cost is met by LPWD. It is important to implement the O&M policyforimproving service delivery, sectorial governance and partial cost recovery. This O&M policy will apply to the entire water sector of Lakshadweep, production, distribution and operations.

4.1 Goal

Goal of O&M Policy is sustainable and inclusive service delivery in drinking water supply for every households in Lakshadweep.

4.2 Objectives of O&M Policy

a. To provide guidance on sustainable water supply services in terms of availability, accessibility and affordability, adopting decentralized approach involving Panchayat Raj Institutions andVillage Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs).

b. To improve institutional capacity and human resources of LPWD, VDPs and VWSCs to provide efficient, effective and sustainable drinking water supply services and to clarify institutional roles and responsibilities of LPWD, VDPs, VWSC and Operators for operation, maintenance and management of water supply schemes and assets in the UTL.

c. To provide guidance on technical, institutional and financial sustainability of water supply schemes and to facilitate cost recovery at the VDP and community level from operations of SVS in the UTL.

4.3 Scope of the Policy

The Operation and Maintenance Policy will apply to the entire inhabited islands of the UT of Lakshadweep in terms of geographical area. The policy will include various aspects of operation and maintenance with regard to water resources, infrastructural assets and equipment including sea water desalination plants, institutionalarrangements, human resource management, capacity building, IEC, financial systems and cost recovery.

Operation and Maintenance Policy for Piped Water Supply, Lakshadweep

4.4 Need for O&M Policy

Infrastructure in water supply sector should be accompanied with comprehensive policy on operation and maintenance. The aim of O&M policy is to facilitate in improving efficiency and sustainability of water supply systems in the UT. With increasing demand on freshwater on one side and the resource base being limited on the other hand, there is an urgent need for 'water discipline' by all stakeholders. Operation & Maintenance measures have to be taken along with legal, policy and regulatory mechanisms as well as institutional architecture in the water supply sector. The O&M policy is a long felt need and will enhance capacity of sector stakeholders for sustainable operation and maintenance.

4.5 Components of Operation and Maintenance

Operation and Maintenance of Water Supply Schemes is based on five components:

1. Water Resource: Water Source - Sustainability, Quantity and Quality aspects.

2. Water Supply Infrastructure: Built Assets such as intake structure, transmission, storage and distribution aspects of operation and maintenance.

3. Finance Capital: Income and sufficient cash flow to manage the expenditure and contingencies, besides O&M budget, tariff setting, billing, collection, accounting and auditing.

4. Human Resource, Capacity Building and IEC: Staffing, Capacity Building, IEC and Social Aspects, including leadership, staff, knowledge, skills and experience to operate and maintain the drinking water supply scheme.

5. Institutional & Governance Component: Legal, Policy, Institutional & Governance aspects, government orders and the institutional network engaged with the management of O&M.

Policy on Operation and Maintenance in Water Supply Sector is prepared, based on the above five components, collectively referred to as the O&M Pentagon.

Operation and Maintenance Policy for Piped Water Supply, Lakshadweep

5 Chapter II- Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of

Single Village Schemes (SVS) and In-Village

Distribution Network (IVDN)

5.1 Policy Statements for Operation and Maintenance of Single Villages

Schemes and In-Village Distribution Network

5.1.1 Water Source Sea is the source of water in Lakshadweep. LPWD shall produce desalinated water in desalination plants installed in each islands and shall be supplied to the Over Head Tanks constructed in various locations in each islandsfor facilitating Village Dweep Panchayath to supply the water equivalent to the proposed service level of 18 LPCD to all the households & 55 LPCD to the households not havingbathing quality wells.

5.1.2 Quality of Water Supplied: Village Dweep Panchayath shall distribute water which is under acceptable limits of water quality standards complying with BIS code 10500 or as notified. LPWD shall ensure the quality of the water stored in the OHT and supplied to delivery points using the service of water quality testing laboratories established under the department in each islands.

LPWD shall also to ensure the quality of the individual dug wells being used by the households to meet their requirement for the purposes of bathing, washing, cleaning etc (as and when required and give proper advises to the consumers) as the service level of water supply through tap connection is only 18 LPCD and the remaining shall be met from their individual dug wells.

5.1.3 Waste Water and Grey Water Management:

In Lakshadweep, the source of water is seawater, which is treated in desalination plants before being supplied to the public, hence there is no contamination of water source. However, public usesindividual dug wells for purposes other than drinking and cooking. The ground water from these dug wells is naturally recharged through rain, and grey water and black water are filtered through soak pits before reaching the ground water.

LPWD/VDP shall explore the possibility of installing cluster or individual sewage treatment plants, such as bio-digester, Planted Dry Bed (PDB) or Engineered Natural Sewage Treatment System.

5.2 Water Supply Infrastructure

5.2.1 Water production through sea water desalination plant:

. Desalination plants of suitable capacity to provide potable water in the proposed service level shall be ensured by LPWD.

5.2.2 Measuring local water supply through consumer meters:

LPWD shall measure and record the quantity of water produced in the desalination plants and quantity of water stored in OHTs. LPWD shall provide suitable water meters to all the households for measuring water consumption. Village Dweep Panchayat shall measure the quantity of water consumed by the households.

Operation and Maintenance Policy for Piped Water Supply, Lakshadweep

5.2.3 Operation and Maintenance of desalination Plants:

LPWD shall ensure the operation & maintenance of desalination plants and also ensure the availability of required quantity & quality.

5.2.4 Asset replacement in SVS:

With regard to desalination plants, all replacement cost of assets are met by the LPWD. With regard to distribution network (from OHT to households) all replacement cost of assets is met by Village Dweep Panchayat and repair/replacement of individual tap is the sole responsibility of consumers after initial installation.

5.2.5 Measuring water consumption and losses:

Village Dweep Panchayat shall measure the receipt of water stored in OHT from LPWD and net water distribution at consumer ends so as to estimate Non- Revenue Water and thus identify the water losses from the water supply system.

5.2.6 Service Delivery:

The service delivery conditions / standards for water supply shall be as per the production of desalinated water. Island wise details provided in Table 1

5.3 Finance Management in O&M

5.3.1 Water tariff:

TheState Water and Sanitation Mission (SWSM) Apex Committeehas approved the water tariff for domestic, institutional, commercial and other consumer categories receiving piped drinking water supply in Lakshadweep.The approved tariff shall be implemented by the Lakshadweep Public Works Department through Government Orders and shallform the basis for billing and collection of user charges under this Policy. The approved tariff schedule is appended as Annexure-2.

5.3.2 Payment of Water Tariff to VDP:

VDP shall collect water tariff from consumers in accordance with the approved tariff notified by Government. The revenue generated from water tariff shall be accounted for, retained and remitted in accordance with the Government Orders issued by the Lakshadweep Administration. The funds retained by the Village Dweep Panchayats shall be utilised exclusively for operation and maintenance of the village distribution system (cost of minor repair, remuneration of meter readers etc) as prescribed under this Policy.

5.3.3 Review of Tariffs:

The State Water and Sanitation Mission (SWSM) Apex Committee shall periodically review the approved water tariff taking into consideration operation and maintenance expenditure, energy consumption, inflation, efficiency of service delivery, consumer affordability, technological improvements, financial sustainability and water conservation objectives.

5.3.4 Billing and Collection:

Village Dweep Panchayats shall undertake billing and collection of water tariff in accordance with the approved tariff schedule and procedures prescribed by LPWD. Billing shall be based on metered water consumption and shall be generated on a monthly basis through manual/digital platform approved by the Administration.

5.3.5 Penal Charge on Consumers:

VDP shall impose a penal charge on consumers in the respective islands, if the consumer delays payment of water charges beyond the stipulated date.

5.3.6 Consumer Service Charges:

Consumer service charges such as application fee, security deposit, new connection charge, name change charge and reconnection charge approved by the State Water and Sanitation Mission (SWSM) Apex Committee shall be applicable uniformly throughout Lakshadweep. The approved rates are provided in Annexure-2.

5.4 Staffing, Capacity Building, IEC and Community Mobilization

5.4.1 VDP level Training programmes:

VDP shall facilitate training of all local level staffs in operation and maintenance of water supply schemes with the support of LPWD.

5.4.2 IEC and Community Mobilization:

VDP shall do the needful to mobilize community for achieving 100% FHTCs as per service level, habitual payment of O&M tariff, and disciplined use of treated water and metered consumption of water at the consumer levels.

5.5 Governance and Institution

5.5.1 Decentralized service delivery and O&M:

VDP is primarily responsible for distribution of water to households and other local level consumers through FHTCs drawing water from Water Stored in OH Tanks by LPWD.

5.5.2 Staffing Pattern:

VDP may implement the staffing pattern as recommended in the O&M Policy. VDP will recruit and appoint staff to operate, maintain and manage distribution of water and in strict adherence to the staffing pattern as per the guidelines in the O&M Policy.

5.5.3 Gram Sabha Meetings and Community Consultations:

Community consultations shall be held at Gram Sabha meetings at least annually and feedback received from Gram Sabha shall be considered by the VDP and VWSC in operation, maintenance and management of water supply schemes in consultation with LPWD.

5.5.4 Grievance Redressal Mechanism (GRM):

VDP shall partner with LPWD in implementing suitable mechanism, for addressing grievances and complaints promptly and effectively.

Operation and Maintenance Policy for Piped Water Supply, Lakshadweep

5.5.5 Technical backstopping by LPWD:

VDPs may request for support from LPWD for resolving technical, operational and managerial issues.

5.5.6 Roles and Responsibilities of VDP regarding Operation and Maintenance:

Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) shall function as the Standing Committee of the respective Village Dweep Panchayat for matters relating to drinking water supply and sanitation in accordance with the Lakshadweep Panchayat Regulation and Government Orders issued fromtime to time. The VWSC shall assist the VDP in planning, community participation, monitoring, awareness generation and supervision of operation and maintenance activities. Roles and responsibilities of VDP with regard to monitoring and regulatory functions in O&M are mentioned in 3.5.6.

5.5.7 Legal and Regulatory Frame work:

Operation and maintenance of piped water supply schemes in Lakshadweep shall be governed by the applicable provisions of the Jal Jeevan Mission Operational Guidelines, the Lakshadweep Panchayat Regulation, Government Orders and notifications issued by the Lakshadweep Administration, relevant environmental and public health laws, and the provisions of this Operation and Maintenance Policy. All stakeholders shall ensure that drinking water services are delivered in accordance with prescribed technical standards, financial procedures, environmental safeguards and institutional responsibilities to ensure safe, sustainable, transparent and accountable water supply services.

7.2 Annexure 2: Approved Water Tariff for Piped Drinking Water Supply

Systems in Lakshadweep

The following water tariff and consumer service charges shall be applicable for all piped drinking water supply connections in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. The tariff is based on monthly water consumption recorded through the consumer water meter. In addition to the volumetric tariff, a fixed monthly charge shall be levied for each active connection.

A. Domestic Consumers

Monthly Water Consumption Applicable Tariff Up to 3 kL/month ₹40 per kL Above 3 kL/month ₹80 per kL Fixed Monthly Charge ₹10 per connection per month

B. Institutional Consumers

Monthly Water Consumption Applicable Tariff Up to 3 kL/month ₹100 per kL Above 3 kL/month ₹200 per kL Fixed Monthly Charge ₹20 per connection per month

C. Commercial Consumers

Monthly Water Consumption Applicable Tariff Up to 3 kL/month ₹150 per kL Above 3 kL/month ₹300 per kL Fixed Monthly Charge ₹30 per connection per month

Consumer Service Charges

₹50 ₹100 ₹100

Service Domestic Institutional Commercial Application Form Fee ₹500 ₹500 ₹500 Security Deposit ₹1,000 ₹1,000 ₹1,000 New Connection Charge Name Change Charge ₹50 ₹100 ₹100 Reconnection Charge ₹100 ₹100 ₹100

Notes Water consumption shall be calculated on the basis of monthly meter readings.

Volumetric tariff shall be charged according to the applicable consumption slab.

The fixed monthly charge shall be payable irrespective of water consumption.

Security Deposit is refundable subject to settlement of all outstanding dues and applicable rules.

All charges are subject to revision by the competent authority from time to time.

Operation and Maintenance Policy for Piped Water Supply, Lakshadweep

7.3 Annexure: 3 Citizen's Charter for Drinking Water

Introduction:

The Lakshadweep Public Works Department (LPWD), in collaboration with the Village Dweep Panchayats (VDPs), is committed to providing safe, adequate, reliable and sustainable drinking water services to all consumers under the Jal Jeevan Mission. This Citizen Charter sets out the standards of service, responsibilities of service providers and consumers, grievance redressal mechanism and timelines for delivery of services to ensure transparency, accountability and citizen-centric governance.

Service standards:

LPWD shall endeavour to provide drinking water services in accordance with the following standards

• Supply of potable drinking water conforming to BIS 10500 standards. • Supply of water through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) as per the approved service level for Lakshadweep (18 LPCD)

• Regular monitoring of water quality through laboratories/ Field Test Kits. • Preventive operation and maintenance of desalination plants, transmission mains, overhead Tanks and distribution networks.

• Periodic maintenance of consumer water meters. • Timely repair of breakdowns to minimise interruption in water supply. • Promotion of water conservation and reduction of non-revenue water.

Water Supply Timings:

Water shall be supplied according to the schedule notified by LPWD for each island, depending upon

• availability of desalinated water • storage capacity • maintenance requirements • emergency situations.

Any scheduled interruption in water supply shall, as far as practicable, be communicated to consumers/public in advance through appropriate communication channels.

Complaint Registration:

Consumers may register complaints relating to:

• interruption of water supply • leakage in pipelines • water quality issues • damaged or defective water meters • billing and tariff disputes • any other water supply-related issues.

Operation and Maintenance Policy for Piped Water Supply, Lakshadweep

Complaints may be submitted through:

• Executive Officer of the respective VDPs • Village Dweep Panchayat Office • Telephone of the respective Panchayats will be incorporated in the Govt order. • E-mail of the respective Panchayats will be incorporated in the Govt order. • Online portal/mobile application (where available)

Every complaint shall be assigned a complaint number and recorded in the grievance register.

Service Delivery Timelines

Service

Timeline

Sl.

No.

1

Acknowledgement of complaint

Within 24 hours

2 Restoration of minor leakage Within 48 hours

Within 72 hours, subject to availability of 3 Major pipeline repair

materials and weather conditions

Sample collection within 24 hours and corrective 4 Water quality complaint

action within 72 hours

5

Within 7 working days

Defective consumer water meter inspection

6 Billing-related complaint Within 7 working days

7

Within 15 working days

New water connection after approval

8

As notified by LPWD

Restoration of supply after planned maintenance

9

Emergency restoration after natural calamity

At the earliest possible time depending upon accessibility and availability of materials/equipments

Grievance Redressal and Escalation Matrix

Grievance Redressal Process: 1. For Minor Maintenance Work- Responsible Authority- VDPs

Level 1 Person Responsible –Chairperson/Executive Officer Responsibilities- Monitoring & Supervising Leakage / bursting repairs in distribution system, checking valves, cleaning of water meters to ensure accurate readings, replacement of minor defective in the line (replacing taps, joints etc)

Response Time –1 Hrs to 5 Hrs Escalation Time –If unresolved within 5Hrs escalate to Level 2

Level 2

Operation and Maintenance Policy for Piped Water Supply, Lakshadweep

Person Responsible- Assistant Engineer, LPWD Response Time- 5Hrs to 10 Hrs Escalation Time – If unresolved within 10 Hrs escalate to level 3

Level-3 Person Responsible- Executive Engineer, PWD Response Time- 10 Hrs 15 Hrs Escalation Time- If unresolved within 15 Hrs escalate to level 4 Level-4 Person Responsible- Superintending Engineer, PWD Response Time- 15 Hrs 24 Hrs Escalation Time- If unresolved within 15 Hrs escalate to level 24

2. For Major Maintenance Work- Responsible Authority- PWD

Level1 Person Responsible – Assistant Engineer, PWD Responsibilities- Monitoring & Supervising major defects in the distribution system, replacement of valves/major diameter pipes, replacement of machineries in the desalination plants/electrical faults in the plants/replacement of cold water pipes and major components in the desalination plant. Maintenance of major assets such as OHTs/sumps etc

Response Time – 24 Hrs Escalation Time – If unresolved within 24Hrs escalate to Level 2 Level 2 Person Responsible- Executive Engineer, LPWD Response Time- 24Hrs to 36 Hrs Escalation Time – If unresolved within 36 Hrs escalate to Level 3 Level 3 Person Responsible- Superintending Engineer, LPWD Response Time- 36Hrs to 48 Hrs Escalation Time – If unresolved within 48 Hrs escalate to Level 4 Level 4 Person Responsible- Secretary, LPWD Response Time- 48 Hrs to 72 Hrs

If unresolved, they can escalate the grievance to state level authorities.

Feedback is collected to ensure consumer satisfaction.

Responsibilities of Consumers

Consumers shall:

• Pay the approved water tariff within the prescribed time • use water judiciously and avoid wastage • protect consumer water meters and service connections • prevent unauthorized use • promptly report leakages and water quality issues43 `` 45 THE LAKSHADWEEP GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY Operation and Maintenance Policy for Piped Water Supply, Lakshadweep

• provide access to authorised LPWD/VDP personnel for inspection and meter reading; • comply with water conservation advisories issued by LPWD.

Responsibilities of LPWD

LPWD shall:

• ensure sustainable production and supply of potable water • maintain desalination plants and water supply infrastructure in good operating

condition

• monitor water quality regularly • attend complaints within the prescribed timelines • undertake preventive maintenance to minimise service interruptions • periodically review service performance and consumer satisfaction. • Facilitate periodic training, supply of Field Test Kits, technical guidance and

monitoring support to Sujalam Shakti Groups for community-based water quality surveillance.

Responsibilities of Village Dweep Panchayats (VDPs)

The Village Dweep Panchayats (VDPs), in coordination with the Lakshadweep Public Works Department (LPWD), shall support the sustainable operation and maintenance of the piped water supply system by undertaking the following responsibilities:

• Facilitate implementation of the provisions of the Operation and Maintenance Policy at the village/island level.

• Coordinate with LPWD for timely reporting of leakages, breakdowns, water quality issues and other operational deficiencies.

• The Village Dweep Panchayats (VDPs) shall undertake consumer billing, collection of user charges, maintenance of billing and collection records, follow-up of outstanding dues and deposit of collected revenue in accordance with the approved water tariff, Government Orders and procedures prescribed by the Lakshadweep Public Works Department. VDPs shall maintain transparency in revenue collection and furnish periodic reports to LPWD.

• conduct awareness programmes on water conservation and consumer responsibilities • Create awareness among consumers on water conservation, efficient use of potable water, sanitation, hygiene and protection of water supply assets.

• Encourage timely payment of water tariff and promote responsible use of water. • Assist LPWD in dissemination of water supply schedules, planned maintenance shutdowns and emergency advisories.

• Participate in Gram Sabha meetings for review of drinking water services, consumer feedback and preparation of annual O&M plans.

• Facilitate constitution and effective functioning of the Village Water and Sanitation Committee (VWSC) in accordance with the O&M Policy.

• Support water quality surveillance through community participation and facilitate Field Test Kit (FTK) testing, wherever applicable.

• Assist LPWD during emergencies, natural disasters and restoration of water supply services.

Operation and Maintenance Policy for Piped Water Supply, Lakshadweep

• Monitor service delivery at the island level and communicate community concerns to the appropriate LPWD authorities for timely resolution.

Consumer Feedback

Consumers are encouraged to provide suggestions for improving drinking water services. Feedback received shall be reviewed periodically by LPWD for continual improvement in service delivery.

7.4 Annexure:4 Note on Metering

Introduction: Management of water distribution system requires metering to measure quantity of water used. Flow meters are used to measure the quantity of water and therefore, metering fulfils the need to get accurate data on the quantity of water produced and distributed. A well- placed metering system in the water distribution network shall also assist in identifying water loss and leakage. A tariff policy cannot be implemented without a well-established metering system, which will modify consumer behaviour with regard to judicious use of water. Several types of water meters are currently available in the market. However, the choice of the type of meter depends on the accuracy requirements, the required flow rates, the end-user, and the flow measurement method. In the context of the O&M policy, it is recommended that multi-jet water meters are used at the domestic consumer level.

Water Meter Reading: A standard water meter uses two common types of registers - straight and circular - to read the flow of water in cubic meter or litres. The registers can be observed on the surface of the meter. The straight registers can be read like an odometer in a car. On some larger meters, a multiplier will be present on the register face, which can be noted as 10X, 100X, or 1000X based on the size of the meter. Circular registers, on the other hand, are more complex to calculate water usage. They employ a series of dials marked with divisions of ten. There are several ways of reading the water meter, which includes: (1) Direct reading; In the context of the current O&M policy, this note is prepared on the assumption that direct meter reading shall be the method used for meter readings at domestic consumer end.

Relevance of Metering: Metering is relevant on the grounds of: (a) to reduce water loss; (b) to facilitate judicious use of water and (c) to enhance revenue for the Water Utility. Advantages of installing domestic consumer level water meters include: (a) improved willingness to pay for water consumed; (b) improves the revenue of the Water Utility; (c) enhances equity in water distribution; (d) enhances consumer accountability; (e) enhances accountability of the water service provider and (f) enhances knowledge on the impact of the water supply system.

Guidelines on Domestic Water Metering: Domestic water meters are installed to measure water consumption at the level of households or other consumers.

i. Capacity of the concerned employees with regard to metering

should be built through training and IEC.

3) Consumers a. The Consumer shall permit meter reader to take the reading.

b. Meter Reading as far as possible shall be taken in the

presence of the consumer or his/her representative.

c. The consumer shall report to the Executive Officer/ VDP

member if there is any misbehaviours from the part of the

Meter Reader including asking for considerations or favours.

d. The consumer shall maintain and upkeep the meter in good

working condition and shall not tamper the meter or its

accessories in any manner.

e. The consumer shall pay penal

charges as decided by the VDP in case there is any incidence

of meter tampering. VDP can decide to disconnect water

supply, if the consumer has made serious violations with

regard to water use, mismanagement of meter, unauthorized

tapping, using illegal devices such as water sucking pumps at

the pipe network, theft of water, or any action that will disturb

equity and equilibrium of water distribution.

f.

The consumer has a right to get official printed receipts or

signed receipts (in case of manual billing) for water charges

paid to the meter reader or the VDP.

g. The consumer shall safe keep the water charge receipts for a

month at least.

4) Grievance Redressal a. The VDP shall facilitate the consumer to join the Grievance Mechanism- (GRM) Redressal Mechanism facilitated by VDPs/LPWD. VDPs/ Metering

LPWD shall introduce a dedicated telephone number for

raising complaints and will have to widely publicize the

number so that the public can use the number to raise the

complaint. The consumers shall be educated and informed on

grievance redressal system. The consumers should be

informed about the penal provision for tampering of meters.

Consumers may be allowed to raise complaints through

telephone, SMS, Social Media such as WhatsApp, direct oral

complaint to the VDP or record the complaint with contact

details in a complaint book available at the office of the VDP.

Operation and Maintenance Policy for Piped Water Supply, Lakshadweep

7.5 Annexure 5: Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Between

respective Assistant Engineers, LPWD and Village Dweep Gram

Panchayath on Community Ownership for Effective Management and

Operation & Maintenance in Piped Water Supply Schemes

at………………… Islands ……Lakshadweep

The Ministry of Jal Shakti, Govt. of India Initiated Implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to address Continuous Drinking Water Security as a rural aspiration and JJM mandated efforts are being materialised in Lakshadweep by Public Works Department, LPWD, U.T of Lakshadweep to cover all rural house hold with such aspiration so that all households have access to piped water supply in adequate quantity (18:55 LPCD) with home based tap connection providing safe drinking water throughout the year, that meets prevalent national drinking water standards.

The key objective of Jal Jeevan Mission is to ensure no household/public institution is left behind from assured tap water supply and also to facilitate with safe drinking water supply in adequate quantity (18:55 lpcd) of prescribed quality (BIS:10500), 2012 on regular and long- term basis. For this purpose, the proposed implementation module invites upfront involvement of the respective community on ownership as well as necessary operation and maintenance (O&M) with affordable service delivery charges.

The LPWD, being the nodal Department for the implementation of JJM in the Lakshadweep, has the basic mandate to create in-village water supply infrastructures in the form of Piped Water Supply Schemes (PWSS). After creation and ensuring functionality of PWSSs, necessary focus should be on the much needed service delivery and to ensure that water supply schemes remain functioning properly and lasts its full design period. For that purpose and as per JJM mandate, the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), i.e. every GP/VDPs will function as legal entity as envisaged in the 73rd Amendment to the Constitution. Accordingly, the JJM Operational Guidelines outlined the process as such that there will be a close coordination between the PRIs and PWD to ensure O&M arrangements for all Rural Pipe Water Supply Schemes.

The MoU will be executed for formal handing over the Public Water Supply Schemes (Distribution) by the respective Assistant Engineer, LPWD Sub-Division, to VDPs at the same instant the document regarding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for entrusting the O&M activities by VDPs49 `` 51 THE LAKSHADWEEP GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY Operation and Maintenance Policy for Piped Water Supply, Lakshadweep

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is entered on………… day of………….20… between:

This deed in the form of agreement is made and entered on the __________ (Date) day of __________ (Month) __________ (Year)

Between

LPWD (Lakshadweep Public Works Department, UTLA), represented by __________of the first part,

And

__________ Village Grama Panchayat (hereinafter referred to as VDP) and represented by Panchayat Executive Officer Of__________ (Name of VDP) of the second part,

Whereas

1. The Union Territory of Lakshadweep Administration has taken a policy decision to saturate the entire Lakshadweep with Household Tap Connection , using own resources as well as that of the Government of India under Jal Jeevan Mission and provide potable drinking water to all households. Gram Panchayat is mandated to be responsible for operating and maintaining water supply distribution from the storage tank to households within its geographical limits. VDP receiving water from LPWD shall enter into an Agreement for drawal and distribution of water. This agreement is for administering and managing water supply and distribution at the level of VDPs drawing water from storage tanks

Now therefore the parties hereby agree as follows:

Water Utilities

1. LPWD__________Sub Division shall produce and store potable water in to OHT and supply to __________ (Name of VDP) as per the capacity of desalination plants.

2. LPWD__________Sub Division shall ensure that the water supplied to __________ VDP is of potable quality and maintains quality standards prescribed by BIS 10500.

3. Volume of water supplied by the LPWD__________Sub Division shall be confirmed by the __________ VDP either on daily basis.

4. LPWD__________Sub Division shall notify __________ VDP in advance in case there is likely to be any disruption of water supply or down time due to any reason.

5. VDP shall measure the quantity of water drawn from the OHT and consumption using water meters provided byLPWD__________Sub Division.

Lakshadweep Public Works Department (LPWD)

1. LPWD shall supply potable water to OHT for _______________VDP (Name of VDP) for distribution50 `` 52 THE LAKSHADWEEP GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY Operation and Maintenance Policy for Piped Water Supply, Lakshadweep

2. LPWD shall ensure that the water supplied to __________VDP is of potable quality and maintains quality standards prescribed by BIS 10500.

3. Volume of water supplied by the LPWD to OHT shall be confirmed by the __________VDP on daily basis.

4. LPWD shall raise a bill for water supplied to __________VDP as per this agreement, on the basis of tariff rate fixed by SWSM.

5. LPWD__________Sub Division shall notify __________ VDPs in advance in case there is likely to be any disruption of water supply or down time due to any reason.

6. LPWD and ---------VDP agrees to a district level conflict resolution cell, consisting of CEO- District Panchayat and SELPWD. District Collector shall act as the district level Arbitrator in the event the district level conflict resolution cell is not able to resolve conflicts among parties of the agreement.

7. LPWD shall measure the water stored/produced in the desalination plant on daily basis.

8. LPWDshall device and prepare formats for collection of data on consumption of water and provide the same to the VDPS.

Village Dweep Gram Panchayats (VDPs)

1. __________ VDP getting water from Water Utility agrees to pay for the water on a volumetric basis to LPWD at a tariff rate as fixed by SWSM vide the O&M policy 2023 or as per provisions of Government Order if any

2. __________ VDP agrees to depute its representative for confirming the measurement of water consumed at Water Meter point.

3. __________ VDP shall operate and manage the distribution system at Household level. All complaints and grievances within the island shall be taken care of by the VDP.

4. Ensure the presence of VDP level staffs while recording the Water Consumption in kL (OHT) in the Log Book Format.

Witness

Signature Name 1) Name-----------------/ Signature Representative of First Party (LPWD)

Signature Name 2) Name-----------------/ Signature Representative of Second Party (EO- VDP)51 `` 53 THE LAKSHADWEEP GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY Operation and Maintenance Policy for Piped Water Supply, Lakshadweep

7.6 Annexure: 6 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Handing Over

Piped Water Supply System from PWD, toVillage Dweep Panchayat

1. The objective of this SOP is to ensure a smooth and systematic transfer of the rural piped drinking water supply schemes from the Government to the Panchayat Raj Institution (PRIs) for local management, operation and maintenance.

2. Scope – The SOP applies to all rural piped drinking water supply schemes developed and implemented by the Government, which are to be handed over to PRIs as part of decentralized governance and community participation as per Jal Jeevan Mission Operational guidelines published in the year 2019 by the Government of India.

3. Process for Handover.

A. Pre-Handover preparation.

I. Identification of Scheme: • Prepare Water Supply System in respective islands that are functional and ready for handover (Distribution part)

II. Stakeholders Consultation and Training:

• Conduct meetings with PRI representatives, Gram Panchayat (GP)/and Village Water & Sanitation Committee (VWSC).

• Explain roles, responsibility and financial implications of managing the water supply systems/schemes.

B. Technical and Financial Handover.

I. Asset Handover:

• Prepare a detailed list of distribution network in all islands. • Conduct a Joint Inspection with VDP members and PWD representatives to verify pipelines and other assets involved in the distribution network for functionality before the final hand over.

• Document the physical handover and takeover through signed reports.

II. Acceptance of O&M Policy.

• Resolution of GP accepting the O&M Policy for Water Supply in Lakshadweep.

C. Capacity Building and Documentation. I. Training & Skill Development:

• Conduct hands on training session for GP/VC members on:

➢ Pump Operation and maintenance. ➢ Leak detection and repair. ➢ Complaint handling and grievance redressal.

II. Preparation of Handover Documents:

• Execute a formal Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) between the PWD, and VDP (As per Annexure – A), detailing:

➢ Responsibilities of the GP/VC in managing the scheme(s). ➢ Role of LPWD in technical support and emergency assistance. ➢ Tariff structure and financial sustainability plan ➢ Issue an official Handover Certificate signed by both parties.

Operation and Maintenance Policy for Piped Water Supply, Lakshadweep

III. Post-Handover support.

1. Monitoring & Evaluation:

• PWD should conduct periodic inspection to ensure proper functioning. • VDPs should maintain records of water supply, tariff collection and maintenance activities on distribution lines.

2. Technical Assistance:

• VDP can seek support for major repairs. • Social Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) programme to the community.

7. Contract Management

3 Training in local 2 Days 1. Water Literacy- Water- Health Sanitation Linkages level water

2. Seasonality water shortage and crisis 3. Mapping of public and private water sources in the resource

VDP

management and

recharging sources

7.10 Annexure 9.1 Reporting Format for Training Achievement

Table 11: Reporting Format for Achievement under Training

No Name of Training Event

No. of Participants

Start

Date

End Date

Person Days

Trained

Male Female Total57 `` 59 THE LAKSHADWEEP GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY

8 CHAPTER V– Powers, Functions, Roles and

Responsibilities of key stakeholders related to Operation

and Maintenance of Water Supply Schemes

8.1 Village Dweep Panchayat:

The VDP shall responsible for the distribution of safe drinking water to the entire households coming under its purview

8.2 Gram Sabha:

The Gram Sabha shall discuss the status of the distribution system, water supply service level, Quality, operation and maintenance, finance management and various other aspects relating to the water supply service. Annual statement of accounts of the SVS/IVDN shall be maintained by the Executive Officer and presented to the Gram Sabha. The Gram Sabha will elect such members of VWSC as per Government Order.

8.3 Gram Panchayat :

1. VDP is responsible for operation and maintenance of distribution of water to the population of the respective VDPs.

2. The VDPs shall process and recommend applications for new consumer connections in accordance with the procedures prescribed under this Policy. New connections shall be released by LPWD after technical feasibility and compliance with the applicable Government Orders. The applicant shall remit the prescribed application fee, security deposit, connection charges and such other charges as approved by the State Water and Sanitation Mission (SWSM) Apex Committee and notified by the Lakshadweep Public Works Department (LPWD).

3. Identify and authorize a qualified Nal Jal Mitra person to attend minor plumbing works. 4. The VDP may consider recommendations made by the Gram Sabha with regard to the operation, maintenance and management of water supply schemes.

5. VDP shall appoint staffs, train them as well as fix and pay salary/other admissible allowances to the staff. Guidelines issued by UTLA with regard to appointment of staff shall be strictly adhered to by VDPs. VDP shall facilitate the Executive Officer in determining qualifications, selection of staffs, and fixing remuneration. The VDP shall do the needful to relocate excess number of staffs as per the advice of the administration.

6. VDP shall prepare an O&M Plan including a Budget, considering annual income and expenditure of distribution system. The VDP shall review the budget for the operation and maintenance of water supply schemes in the VDP.

7. VDP shall be the first point of contact for distribution with regard to GRM (Grievance Redressal Mechanism), which is available for the use of consumers.

8. VDP is responsible for coordination of operation of distribution. . 9. VDP shall act as a forum for conflict resolution and hold discussions with the conflicting parties related to water supply activities.

Operation and Maintenance Policy for water supply, Lakshadweep

10.VDP shall make arrangements and be responsible for monitoring the O&M of distribution.

11.VDP is responsible for meter reading, serve demand cum disconnection notice to the consumers, collection of monthly charges and issuing receipt for payment received. 12.VDP shall make arrangements and be responsible for accounting, bookkeeping and annual auditing of accounts of income and expenditure of the VDP.

13.The Gram Panchayat may, by itself or through practicing experts in the field undertake awareness and outreach programmes about O&M and management of water supply schemes.

8.4 Executive Officer:

Executive Officer (EO) is considered theauthorized official, representing the VDP in all official transactions. Therefore, all functions of the VDP are deemed to belong to the EO for implementation. EO shall be responsible for the following functions and responsibilities related to Operation and Maintenance of water supply schemes in the respective islands.

1. Assist the Gram Panchayat and Village Water and Sanitation Committee in preparation of the budget for O&M of water supply schemes as a part of the Gram Panchayat Development Plan.

2. Provide information to the Gram Panchayat members/VDP on O&M of water supply schemes.

3. Supervise implementation, operation and maintenance of water supply schemes within the purview of the VDP.

4. Financial management and maintenance of records of the Operation and maintenance of water supply schemes, including review of accounts, resources, assets and systems.

5. Assisting the VDP and its committees in preparing reports and other documents evidencing status and progress of O&M of water supply schemes.

6. Prepare and update duties and responsibilities of staffs and direct staffs, operators and other water related workers.

7. Direct staffs to remove unauthorized and illegal consumer connections and implement penalty provisions for misuse and unauthorized supply of water including stealing of water. Develop regulatory measures for preventing unauthorized connections and water rationing as and when needed.

8. Facilitate collection of water tariff, maintenance of books of accounts, depositing cash in the Bank, presenting accounts at the VDP and Gram Sabha,

9. Facilitate new water supply connections after completing application procedures. 10. Monitor performance of Operation and Maintenance staff. 11. Maintain regularly, accounts and records of operation and maintenance expenditure as well as prepare the income and expenditure statement of Operation and Maintenance and to inform the VDP and Gram Sabha through reports.

12. Plan and implement training for members of the staffs and including VDP members in operation and maintenance of the water supply and sanitation facilities in the village.

Operation and Maintenance Policy for water supply, Lakshadweep

13. Confirm the water consumption data at the island Level OHTs in the VDP and counter sign the monthly consolidated data sheet.

14. Any other role and/or responsibility as may be directed as per applicable laws by higher authorities.

8.5 State Water and Sanitation Mission (SWSM)

SWSM is a State level institution headed by Chief Secretary with Principal Secretary / Secretary, PWD as Member Secretary and Superintending Engineer, PWD as Mission Directoris responsible for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in the state. SWSM has Apex Committee and Executive Committee with the following composition. The Apex Committee will meet twice a year. SWSM Apex Committee.

Sl No Designation Position in the Committee

1 Advisor to the Hon'ble Administrator Chairman 2 Secretary, Panchayath Member 3 Secretary, Rural Development Member 4 Secretary, Health Member 5 Secretary, Science &Technology Member 6 Secretary, Women & Child Development Member 7 Secretary, Power Member 8 Secretary, Agriculture Member 9 Secretary, Finance Member 10 Secretary, Information & Public Relation Member 11 Secretary, Urban Development Member 12 Secretary, PWD Member Secretary

Executive Committee

Sl No Designation Position in the Committee

1 Executive Engineer, LPWD Kavaratti Chairman 2 Assistant Executive Engineer, Electricity Member 3 Health Education Officer, Medical Member 4 Education Officer Member 5 Assistant Engineer, LPWD Kavaratti Member 6 Engineer Assistant to SE Member Secretary

5.5.1 The Roles & Responsibilities of the State Water & Sanitation Mission (SWSM) are

as follows

1. To provide policy guidance and will be responsible for the overall planning, strategizing, and implementation of JJM in the State;

2. Responsible for finalization of State Action Plan (SAP) to provide FHTC to every rural household.

3. Decide charges for providing FHTC to rural household. 4. Decide water service standards.

5. Appraisal and in-principal approval of State Action Plan (SAP) after discussion with Department/National Mission.

6. Responsible for financial planning including ensuring timely utilization of fund and no parking of fund.

7. Responsible for coordination among various Departments and other agencies for convergence.

8. Responsible for devolution of powers empowering GP/VC and Sub-committee of GP/VC for management of in-village infrastructure, if not done already.

9. Devolve powers to DWSM to accord administrative approval of intra-district and in-village infrastructure water supply schemes.

10. Decide modalities for operation of single nodal account. 11. Build suitable incentive and disincentive mechanism in the policy to discourage wastage of water as well as to meet recurring expenditure on bulk water, distribution network and household level supply.

12. Bringing about effective policies & regulations for water use by other sectors, abating water contamination by industries, agricultural practices or mis- management of solid & liquid waste by individual households/institutions.

13. To enforce uniform policy for various uses of ground water within the annual replenishable ground water recharge.

14. Responsible for water allocation. 15. To firm up State policy on engaging dedicated human resource for ensuring water quality testing as well as surveillance using Field Test Kits.

16. Finalize ToR for various contracts especially penal provision for delays and its monitoring.

17. Developing O&M strategy and monthly tariff/user charges for ensuring financial sustainability of the system/scheme. To firm up policy on O&M accounts and its operation process by GP/VC and / or its standing-committee.

18. To firm up policy on earmarked % of support fund for IEC/BCC activities. 19. Decide action on unauthorized/unmetered unaccounted connections to stop continue loss of water/revenue.

8.6 District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM)

At the district level, DWSM is responsible for overall implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). DWSM is headed by District Magistrate and Collector.

Sl No Designation Position in the Committee

1 District Collector Chairman 2 Chief Executive Officer, Panchayat Member 3 Conservator of Forest Member 4 Director, Education Member 5 Director, Panchayat Member 6 Director, Social Welfare Member 7 Director, Health Member 8 Director, Agriculture Member 10 Director, Information & Public Relation Member64 66 THE LAKSHADWEEP GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY Operation and Maintenance Policy for water supply, Lakshadweep

11 Executive Engineer, LPWD Member Secretary

8.6.1 Role & Responsibility of DWSM

1. Ensure preparation of VAP after taking stock of each village for FHTCs; 2. Finalize a District Action Plan (DAP) to provide FHTC to every rural household.

3. Provide administrative approval of in-village water supply schemes/projects at district level as per the powers devolved by SWSM.

4. Ensure availability of funds for source sustainability works and grey-water management in villages through convergence and projects may be cleared only if these components are part of DPR.

5. Identify villages requiring ISA support, engage ISAs from empaneled list and monitor their performance.

6. Provide necessary directions given to PWD (DWS) Department for active participation in VAP and initiate techno-economic feasibility, preparation of DPRs in consultation with Gram Panchayat and / Village Committee or its standing-committee, i.e. VWSC/Paani Samiti/User Group, etc.

7. Approve the Village Action Plans (VAPs) that would contain the estimate for in-village infrastructure viz. retrofitting or new scheme and its implementation timeline.

8. Finalize unit type designs and approve cost estimates finalized by SWSM or PWD (DWS) Department, ISA, Gram Panchayat/ Village Committee and / or its standing-committee, i.e. VWSC/ Paani Samiti/ User Group, etc.

9. Ensure availability of agency from the empaneled list based on the annual projected requirement emerging from VAPs and award work.

10. Engage third party agency for inspection of work before payment to the agency. 11. Help in formation of standing-committee of Gram Panchayats, i.e. VWSCs/Paani Samitis/User Groups, etc. and handhold to ensure scheme implementation.

12. Coordinate with Gram Panchayat and / or its standing-committee, i.e. VWSC / Paani Samiti/ User Group, etc., collate information, prepare District Action Plan (DAP) and submit to SWSM.

13. Converge with Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikash Yojana (PMKVY) to create a pool of skilled human resource to be engaged by Gram Panchayat/Village Committee and / or its standing-committee, i.e. VWSC/ Paani Samiti/ User Group, etc. for creating in-village infrastructure under JJM. The payment towards the same maybe met out of support funds.

14. Ensure regular updates of JJM physical and financial progress on IMIS and validate the same.

15. Monitor and evaluate physical and financial performance. 16. Facilitate development of NGO/VO/CBO partners as Implementation Support Agencies (ISAs).

17. Implement IEC/BCC strategy and ensure effective utilization of the earmarked support fund for the same.

Operation and Maintenance Policy for water supply, Lakshadweep

18. Identify individuals to be trained as master trainers at State level who will in- turn build capacities of Gram Panchayat and / or its standing-committee, i.e. VWSC /Paani Samiti / User Group, etc.

19. Upload FHTCs on IMIS after receipt of commissioning certificate from Gram Panchayat and / or its standing-committee, i.e. VWSC/ Paani Samiti/ User Group, etc.

20. Approve and share reports, success stories, and best practices on JJM IMIS and within district.

21. Conduct all campaigns with respect to JJM initiated by both Central and State governments.

22. Recognize well-performing Gram Panchayat and/ or its standing-committee, i.e. VWSC/ Paani Samiti/ User Group, etc. and ISAs from time-time.

23. Analyze data on health indicators, water-borne diseases, etc. for corrective action.

24. Arrange exposure visits for Gram Panchayat and/ or its standing-committee, i.e. VWSC/ Paani Samiti/ User Group, etc. functionaries, wherever required.

25. Ensure state-specific slogans are wall painted in prescribed format across villages as part of JJM introductory program. 26. Step-in in times of calamities like drought/ flood. 27. Grievance redressal. 28. Ensuring that all information is placed on IMIS.

8.7 Village Water and Sanitation Committee (VWSC)

VWSC, is a standing committee of Gram Panchayat (GP). It is envisaged under JJM that the community will play a lead role in planning, implementation, management, operation and maintenance of in-village water supply infrastructure thereby leading to FHTCs to every rural household.The composition of members of the committee for one VWSC shall be as follows in all Islands ---

i. Chairman – Chairperson, VDP

ii. Members- All elected representatives of VDP

iii. Secretary- Executive Officer

8.7.1 Functions of VWSC

1. Ensure preparation of Village Action Plan for Water supply Scheme. 2. To coordinate, manage, operate and maintain water supply schemes and sanitation. 3. Plan, Design, Implement in village water supply schemes in collaboration with LPWD

4. Support service for construction of in village infrastructure including source sustainability, grey water reuse, water conservation measures.

5. Mobilize community for PRA Activities. 6. Encourage users to pay water tariff/user charges. 7. Hold periodic meetings at least 2 times in a year to evaluate the effectiveness of implementation of JJM in the respective islands.

8. Conduct awareness campaign on judicious use of water, come up with mechanisms to ensure no misuse of water and ensure prescribed IEC campaign including wall paintings, micing etc.

8.8 Domestic and Non-Domestic Consumers

1. Water supplied from VDP to the HTC (Household Tap Connection) will be used only for domestic purposes. Misuse of water will be sufficient ground for disconnection of the HTC. Water will not be used for commercial purposes, sales to non-consumer members, agriculture, washing animals etc

2. Pay water charges for volumetric consumption before the 10th of every month as per direction of the VDP.

3. Disciplined use of water, which among other things mean no stealing of water, use of water as per allotted LPCD, using water only for domestic and household purposes.

4. The water connection will be disconnected if water tariff payment is defaulted for three months consecutively.

5. Minor repair of tap and pipes at house premises will be done by concerned consumer after informing the VDP/authorized Plumber. Repairs within the household premises will be considered minor repair and is primarily the responsibility of the consumer, taking professional support of a qualified plumber or technician. 8.8.1 New Consumer Connections:

1. The applicable application fee, security deposit, new connection charge, name change charge, reconnection charge and water tariff shall be those specified in Annexure-2 of this Policy or as revised by Government Orders issued from time to time.

2. Every eligible household, institution, commercial establishment or other consumer requiring a piped drinking water connection shall apply in the prescribed manner through the Dweep Jal Portal or such other platform as may be notified by the Lakshadweep Public Works Department.

3. Until the Dweep Jal Portal becomes operational, applications may be submitted manually before the Village Dweep Panchayat in the prescribed application form. 4. The Village Dweep Panchayat shall verify the application and forward the same to the Assistant Engineer, LPWD of the respective islands for technical scrutiny, feasibility assessment and approval.

5. New water connections shall be released only after technical feasibility, availability of distribution infrastructure, payment of the prescribed application fee, security deposit, connection charge and other applicable charges and compliance with other condition prescribed by LPWD.The applicable fees and charges shall be those approved by the State Water and Sanitation Mission (SWSM) Apex Committee and notified by Government Orders from time to time.

Consumer Service Applicable Charges

Application Fee As notified by Government Order67 69 THE LAKSHADWEEP GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY