G.O.(Ms) No.83, Installation of Reverse Osmosis Plants in Rural Areas, 2019
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (SGS-3) Department issued G.O.(Ms) No.83 on 2 July 2019, permitting the Director of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj to install Reverse Osmosis plants in required rural locations during 2018-19 at a cost of Rs. 100 Crore. The funding comes from the State Finance Commission Devolution Grant for Panchayat Unions, and the document sets location priorities, implementation responsibilities and technical requirements.
Purpose and scope
G.O.(Ms) No.83 of the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (SGS-3) Department authorises Reverse Osmosis plants in rural areas where groundwater is salty, brackish or otherwise not potable. The scheme concerns rural drinking-water infrastructure and does not set out rules for land ownership, property transfers or building approvals.
The approved cost is Rs. 100 Crore during 2018-19. The amount is to be met from the State Finance Commission Devolution Grant for Panchayat Unions, with district-wise allocations annexed to the government order.
Who it affects
G.O.(Ms) No.83 mainly affects rural habitations with drinking-water quality problems, Village Panchayats, Panchayat Unions, District Collectors and District Rural Development Agencies. District Rural Development Agencies install the plants and then hand them over to the relevant Village Panchayats for operation and maintenance.
Technical officials of the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department provide guidance for installation and maintenance. Village Panchayats must enter into agreements with Village Poverty Reduction Committees, Panchayat Level Federations or Self Help Groups for day-to-day operation and maintenance.
Location selection
The guidelines provide that:
- Habitations where drinking water does not meet IS 10500-2012 standards are eligible.
- Coastal habitations and Village Panchayats with Total Dissolved Solids between 2000 and 2500 mg/litre receive priority.
- Habitations with Total Dissolved Solids above 2500 mg/litre must not be selected.
- The water source must provide enough water for the plant.
- Densely populated habitations receive priority.
- At least 30% of the district allocation must go to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe habitations.
- Villages already having more potable water than required must not be selected.
- Existing bore wells and water systems may be used, or new systems may be created under the project.
Approval, equipment and procurement
A district-level committee chaired by the District Collector finalises habitations and plant types. The Executive Engineer, Rural Development determines technical specifications in consultation with the Superintending Engineer, Rural Development.
Plant design must reflect water quality, quantity, population served and site conditions. Machinery and equipment, excluding consumables, must carry a minimum two-year comprehensive replacement guarantee. Only latest-technology Reverse Osmosis plants with an inbuilt ATM for water distribution are to be installed.
District-level tenders are invited by the Project Director of the District Rural Development Agency and accepted by the District Collector.
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Common questions
Does G.O.(Ms) No.83 change my land ownership or property rights?
The document deals with installing and operating rural Reverse Osmosis drinking-water plants. It does not contain provisions on land ownership, property transfers or title.
Can every rural village receive a Reverse Osmosis plant under this scheme?
No. District Collectors select villages according to water quality, available water supply, population density, district funding and the priorities stated in the guidelines.
Who will operate and maintain the Reverse Osmosis plants?
District Rural Development Agencies install the plants and hand them over to Village Panchayats. Village Panchayats must arrange day-to-day operation and maintenance through Village Poverty Reduction Committees, Panchayat Level Federations or Self Help Groups.
Which habitations receive priority?
Priority is given to coastal habitations, densely populated habitations and Village Panchayats where Total Dissolved Solids are between 2000 and 2500 mg/litre. At least 30% of each district allocation must be provided to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe habitations.
