The Government has decided to set up a village water and sanitation committee in each Gram Panchayat, village and ward to ensure safe drinking water supply.

According to official sources, the committee will be set up as a standing committee in each Gram Panchayat for planning, monitoring, implementation and maintenance of water supply schemes in the area with active participation of the villagers.

AIR correspondent reports that the membership of the committee will consist of 6 to 12 persons comprising elected Panchayat members and at least 50 percent women with due representation to Scheduled castes and Tribes.

The committee will be an integral part of the village panchayat. This initiative has been taken under the National Rural Drinking Water Programme to de-centralise power and responsibilities and to give greater focus on water and sanitation issues.