Chapter6

Block-wise Distribution of Water Supply and Sanitation

Services in West Bengal: Role of Panchayat Samiti

Chapter6

Block-wise Distribution of Water Supply and Sanitation

Services in West Bengal: Role of Panchayat Samiti

6.1. Introduction

The second tier of rural local government, Panchayat Samiti, has the responsibility of

planning, execution and supervision of all developmental programmes of the block in

West Bengal. It has the responsibility of setting up of sources of water supply. In

addition to that maintenance and up-gradation of water supply sources is also taken

care by the Panchayat Samiti (PS). PS can bargain resources from Zilla Parishad (ZP)

for setting up of new water supply sources and maintenance of existing sources.

Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) is the line department in

implementing water supply schemes. In West Bengal the P!inchayat Samiti is

functionally linked to the line department through a Standing Committee at PS

(Subrahmanyam and Choudhury, 2002). In the sanitation programme, PS is

responsible for distribution of subsidies to the BPL families, setting up of sanitary

marts and implementing Information Education and Communication (IEC)

programme.

In the last chapter, we have examined the district-wise distribution of funds for rural

water supply and district-wise achievement of sanitation programme. We have

observed that funds for rural water supply are distributed more in favour of districts,

which are more capable to bargain resources from state government through Zilla

Parishad. In other countries like Malawi, Uganda and Zimbabwe it has also been

observed that provision of water services (investment and maintenance) are

significantly greater in already well served area, dominated by powerful politicians

than in poorly served areas (Slaymaker and Newbome, 2004; Mtisi and Nicol, 2003).

In the sanitation programme, Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC), we have found that it

has progressed more in districts where there are less BPL families, more literate

people and more state ruling party representative in the ZP. So decentralisation has

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been found to have a negative impact on equity in provision of services at the district

level analysis. Bardhan, (2002) and Litvack, Ahmad and Bird (1998) has also raised

the· suspicion that decentralisation may lead to disparity. In this chapter we have

examined the same issue at the block level. We will look into the aspects of allocative

efficiency of Zill Parishad (ZP) regarding distribution of rural water supply and

sanitation services to Panchayat Samitis (PSs). We will examine whether water supply

sources are more distributed in favour of blocks (of a district) which are more capable

to bargain resources from Zilla Parishad and blocks where there is more need for

water supply. In addition to that we will examine the other determinants of

distribution of water supply sources across blocks. The block-wise progress of

sanitation programme in a district will also be analysed. We will look into the relation

between different socio-economic variables and progress of TSC across blocks.

For the purpose of analysis we have chosen Birbhum and South 24 Patganas district

of West Bengal. These two districts have certain typical characteristics, which are

important in choosing the type of water supply source. In Birbhum district, soil

condition is rocky and hard in few blocks. Ground water of some of the blocks are

affected by fluorite contamination. In South 24 Parganas district soil is not hard but

groundwater· of many of the blocks is affected by arsenic contamination. In case of

progress in TSC, the variation of progress of the programme across the blocks is

highest in Birbhum district. This makes it interesting for analysis. On the other hand,

the variation across the blocks in South 24 Parganas district is substantially lower than

Birbhum district. Politically the Zilla Parishads of these two districts are dominated

by Left Alliance, which is also the ruling party of the state. A comparison of findings

obtained from these two districts could have been very interesting but due to data

constraint we could not do it for each and every result. We have taken into account

maximum possible aspects of water supply and sanitation of these two districts given

data constraint.

We expect that sources and funds of rural water supply would be distributed more in

favour of the blocks where there is need for it. In addition to this, we expect that

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blocks having higher literacy rate are able to bargain more sources of water supply in

their favour. Moreover, greater is the presence of Left Alliance (majority party of

Zilla Parishad and state government) elected representative in the PS, larger would be

bargaining power of the later in the ZP in garnering resources for water supply1• It is

also expected that water supply would be distributed more towards blocks where

households are economically weaker and presence of Scheduled Caste (SC) and

Scheduled Tribe (ST) population is higher. We also expect that within different types

of water supply sources, the blocks having greater capability_ to bargain will pre-empt

more reliable and technologically sophisticated source. Choices of different type of

water supply systems are also expected to be determined by geographical conditions

and quality of groundwater.

With regard to the progress of sanitation programme, we expect that it is higher in

blocks where literacy rate is high and residents are economically stronger. Literacy

rate increases understanding of people regarding the programme and usefulness of

using toilet. Economic strength increases capability to contribute for taking up the

programme. The greater presence of ruling party representatives in the PS is expected

to have positive impact on the progress of the programme. This is because the Left

Alliance in West Bengal is one of the big champions of decentralised Total Sanitation

Campaign (TSC).

We have divided the chapter into several sections. In section 6.2 we have discussed

about the data and methodology involved. In section 6.3 we have discussed about

water supply of Birbhum and South 24 Parganas district. This section has been

divided into several subsections. In subsection 6.3.1 we have looked in the choice of

different water supply systems with respect to the geographical condition and quality

of groundwater available in the blocks. In section 6.3.2 we have discussed about

distribution of sources and funds for water supply across blocks. We have made an

attempt to analyse how socio-economic characteristics of the blocks in the two

1 Political discretion of higher level government plays a major role in distribution of resources for poverty alleviation programme in West Bengal (Bardhan and Mookherjee, 2004).

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districts have determined the distribution of sources and fund for water supply. In

section 6.4 we have looked into the progress in TSC. In the next section we have

concluded the chapter.

6.2. Data & Methodology

The distribution of water supply source and fund across the blocks has been illustrated

in this chapter. An effort has been made to examine the relation of distribution of

water supply source and fund across blocks with need of water supply, socio­

economic characteristics, geographical conditions and groundwater quality of the

blocks. The relation of distribution of water supply sources and fund across blocks

with bargaining capability of the blocks has also been looked into. We have collected

information regarding rural water supply from PliED and Zilla Parishad of Birbhum

and South 24 Parganas district. Only cross sectional analysis has been done in this

chapter since time series data is not available. We have taken information regarding

the status of different types of drinking water sources, such as stand posts, ring bored

tubewell, masonry well and deep well pump in Birbhum district as on March, 2000.

Information regarding tubewells sunk in South 24 Parganas till 2004 has been

collected from PHED in South 24 Parganas district. Funds distributed from the Zilla

Parishad to the Panchayat Samities for sinking and resinking of tubewell (2006-07),

operation and maintenance of rural piped· water supply scheme taken over by

Panchayat Samiti (2006-07) and maintenance of all water supply system (2002-04)

have been collected from Birbhum Zilla Parishad. We have also collected information

regarding percentage of households using tap, handpump, tubewell and well in

Birbhum and South 24 Parganas district from Census 2001.

In case of sanitation, blockwise progress of sanitation in Birbhum and South 24

Parganas district has been analysed. An effort has been made to examine the relation

of blockwise progress of sanitation programme with socio-economic characteristics of

the blocks. We have collected information regarding block-wise construction of

latrines from State Institute of Panchayat and Rural Development. Bock-wise number

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Chapter6

of toilet constructed till March 2007 has been collected for only South 24 Parganas

!llld Birbhum district. The allocation of funds for different components of TSC has

!lls.o been analysed for both South 24 Parganas and Birbhum district. This information

bas bteen collected from respective Zilla Parishads.

'Wile bave added percentage of households having sources of tap, handpump, tubewell

!lllal well away from premises and all other sources of water supply (which are

considered to be unsafe) to obtain the need of water supply in the block. We denote

trhi:s wariable as NEEDWATER as has been done in the earlier chapter. The need of

soanitation of a block has been measured by calculating percentage of households

ba'Viog no latrine at home. This variable has been denoted as NOLA TRINE.

Sirnilar to the earlier chapter, in this chapter too we have considered the two channels

of bargaining for water supply services. These two channels are political and

~10li tical channels. In case of political channel, bargaining capability of Panchayat

Sanniti (PS) for the block would increase if there is more elected representatives from

the dominant party of Zilla Parishad and state ruling party. In both the districts

dolllli:nant party of the Zila Parishad is Left Alliance in both 1998 and 2003 Panchyat

ele-..ction. The state ruling party is Left Alliance for last thirty years. So we have

callclllated the percentage of representation of Left Alliance in the Panchayat Samities

tt() teapture the political channel of bargaining. We have denoted it for as LA1 for 1998

el~ction and as LA for the average of 1998 and 2003 election. The other important

chmnnel of bargaining is through greater consciousness, which is generally created by

l:itenucy. To capture this channel of bargaining, blockwise rural literacy rate

(LITERACY) for the two districts has been obtained from Census of India, 2001.

[n tlris study we have examined whether due to anti-poverty measures taken by the

~o'Vemment, the provision of services are higher towards blocks where there are more

Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (SC and ST) population and economically

depri.ved people. The blockwise percentage of rural SC and ST population has been

obtaLned from Census of India, 2001. Economic deprivation of the households have

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Chapter 6

been measured by percentage of household occupying temporary type of houses,

percentage of households having no electricity at home, and percentage of households

not possessing assets like radio/transistor, television, telephone, bicycle,

scooter/motor cycle/moped, car/jeep/van. We have constructed an index of

deprivation (DEPRIVATION) by taking average of these three variables.

6.3. Rural Water Supply

Type of water supply system is supposed to be primarily dependence on geographical

condition and water quality. This aspect has been discussed in subsection 6.3.1. In the

next subsection we have discussed about distribution of water supply sources and

funds in Birbhum and South 24 Parganas district. In addition to that we have made an

effort to relate distribution of water supply with socio-economic conditions of the

blocks, given geographical conditions and quality of water.

6.3.1 Geographical Conditions, Water Quality and Choice of Different Sources

Sources of drinking water supply are mainly of four types. They are tap, handpump,

tubewell and well. In case of tap water supply water is lifted from the ground and is

purified in the reservoir. Then it is distributed to the sources through pipe from a

reservoir. It is considered to be the most reliable and safe source of drinking water

source if contamination can be avoided. Contamination due to leakage of pipe can be

avoided by maintaining pressure within the pipe. This is possible if water flows 24

hours in a day through the pipe. Ordinary handpump lifts the static groundwater if it is

within 10 meters from the surface. As a source of water supply it is very unreliable

due to frequent breakdown and reduction in the water level. It is also susceptible to

contamination/ infection since it is not purified and water from outside can seep in the

tube. Tubewelllifts groundwater from more than 10 meters depth. It is more reliable

than ordinary handpump. The most unreliable among all types of handpump/ tube well

is ring-bored tubewell. It is installed when the surface is rocky. It sucks water from a

natural bore within the rocks. It is not a stable source since water supply stops when

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water within the bore gets finished. The most reliable among all types of handpump/

tubewell is deep tubewell or deep well pump. Deep tubewell and deep well pump has

been mentioned interchangeably in this chapter. Well is also a very unsafe source of

drinking water as it is susceptible to contamination and infection. On the cost side,

the cost of piped water supply generally depends on density of population. If the

density of population increases, then cost of provision declines. Tubewell is generally

costlier than handpump and well. It is costlier when the surface is hard.

The choice of sources is supposed to depend on the soil conditions and ground water

quality. We have taken into account both these features in case of Birbhum district. In

case of South 24 Parganas district, we have only looked into groundwater quality. As

per agro-climatic classification, Birbhum falls under the Lower Gangetic Plain

Region, but the soil in more than half of the blocks is red laterite with very low clay

and /or alluvium content. In the western part of the district (Rampurhat Subdivision

and some of the western bocks in Sadar Subdivision) there is rocky consolidated

formation and old alluvium soil. However, the eastern and southern parts of the

district (Bolpur Subdivision and eastern blocks in the Sadar Subdivision) have

deposits of both old and new alluvium. Moreover, as many rivers are passing through

the eastern part of the district, so the groundwater level is relatively shallow in the

eastern and southern part rather than the western part of the district. There are a few

blocks in the Birbhum district where groundwater is affected by fluoride

contamination. In South 24 Parganas, we have not looked into the soil condition since

soil in this district is not the constraining factor behind installing any type of cheap

groundwater water supply source. The groundwater level is also shallow in the

district. However, groundwater of many blocks in this district is affected by arsenic

contamination. Block-wise details of these features are available in Table 6.1.

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Table 6.1: Block-wise Soil Conditions and Water Quality in Birbhum and South 24 Parganas District

Birbhum South 24 Parganas Block Main Soil Type Block Arsenic

Contamination Bolpur-Sriniketan Old&New Baruipur Affected

Alluvium Old Alluvium. Basanti Affected

Dubrajpur Fluoride Mfected Bhagore-1 Mfected Bhangore-II Mfected

Dlambazar Old&New Bishnupur-1 Mfected Alluvium

Khoirasole Old Alluvial & Bishnupur-II Affected Consolidated formation

Labpur Old&New Budge Budge I NotMfected Alluvium

Mayureswar-1 Old&New Budge Budge II Mfected Alluvium

Mayureswar-II Old&New Canning-I Not Affected Alluvium

Md. Bazar Old Alluvial. Canning-II Not Affected Consolidated Formation

Murarai-1 Old Alluvial Diamond Harbour- I Not Affected Murarai-11 New Alluvial Diamond Harbour- II Not Affected

Old Alluvium & Falta Not Affected

Nalhati-1 Consolidated Gosaba Not Affected Formation. Joynagar-1 Affected Fluoride Mfected

Nalhati-11 New&Old Joynagar-II Not Affected Alluvium

Nanoor New&Old Kakdwip Not Affected Alluvium

Rajnagar Consolidated Kulpi NotMfected formation & Old Alluvium Old Alluvium. Kuitali Not Affected

Rampurhat-1 Fluoride Mfected Mograhat-1 Not Affected Mograhat-II Mfected

Rampurhat-II New Alluvial Mandirbazar Not Affected Saithia Old Alluvial Mathurapur-1 Not Affected Suri-1 Old Alluvial Mathurapur II Not Affected Suri-11 Old Alluvial Namkhana Not Affected

Pathar Pratima NotMfected Sagar Not Affected Sonarpur Mfected Thakurpukur-Maheshtala Not Affected

Source: Government of West Bengal

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We have found that in Birbhum district percentage of households using handpump as

a source of water supply is less and well is more in western blocks. The case is

reverse in eastern and southern blocks. This is shown in Figure 6.1 where blocks in

the western part of the district has been marked as W. Other unmarked blocks belong

to eastern and southern part of the district. There is a substitution between block-wise

percentage of households using handpump and well in Birbhum district This is

evident from correlation matrix presented in Table 6.2. Since handpump cannot lift

water from deep it is more used as source in the eastern and southern blocks where

groundwater level is relatively shallow.

Tubewell can lift water from deeper level than handpump. Tubewell is also safer than

handpump since it lifts water from a deeper level where groundwater is more pure. It

is better source of drinking water than handpump and well in the western blocks since

groundwater level is deep and a few of the blocks are affected by fluoride

contamination. Well, on the other hand, is considered to be relatively unsafe source. It

has been observed that percentage of household using tubewell as source of water

supply is more in blocks where percentage of household using tap as source of water

supply is high. Tap is considered to be the most reliable and safe source of drinking

water, so as tubewell. Both of these sources are not installed by higher amount in

blocks where there is need, i.e, the western blocks. There must be some other

determinants of distribution of tap and tubewell as sources of water supply. This

aspect we will explore later in this chapter.

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Table 6.2: Correlation Matrix: Block-wise Percentage of Households Using Different Water Supply Sources in Birbhum and South 24 Parganas District

Birbhum Tap HandpJIID_I! TubeweU WeU

Tjlp 1.00 Hanc!Pump. -0.24 1.00 TubeweU 0.45* -0.16 1.00

WeU -0.25 -0.82*** -0.35 1.00 South 24 Pare:anas

Tap Handpump TubeweU WeD Tap 1.00

Handpump -0.78*** 1.00 Tube weD 0.41 ** -0.89*** 1.00

wen 0.55*** -0.27 -0.01 1.00 Source: Census of lnd1a, 2001

* Significant at 10% Level, ** Significant at 5% Level and *** Significant at 1% Level

Density of population is one important criterion in supply of water through piped

water supply. If population density is thin and villages are scattered then piped water

supply may tum out to be uneconomical. Per capita standposts are supposed to be

higher in areas (blocks) where population density is high, since it makes per capita

expenditure for piped water supply more economical. In Birbhum district, we found

that this is indeed true. The correlation between per capita standpost and population

density across blocks is 0.51, which is significant at 5 percent level. The relation

between these two is also evident from Figure 6.2.

In South 24 Pargans district we have found that percentage of households using tap

and tubewell is more in blocks affected by arsenic contamination. In Figure 6.3 these

blocks are marked by A. Percentage of households using handpump is relatively less

in these blocks compared to blocks not affected by contamination. This is because tap

and tubewell are safer source of water supply than handpump in blocks affected by

arsenic contamination. It has also been found that percentage of people using tap in a

block increases with increase in percentage of people using tubewell (see correlation

matrix in Table 6.2). It is less in blocks where there is percentage of people using

handpump is higher. It is presumably the quality of water that has determined the

choice of different types of sources.

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6.3.2. Distribution of Water Supply and Socio-Economic Characteristics of

~

The analysis of provision of rural water supply across blocks has been done on

Birbhum and South 24 Parganas districts. In case of Birbhum district, it was possible

to collect more information than in case of South 24 Parganas district. In this section,

we have illustrated block-wise variation of water supply in both the districts and also

have made an effort to estimate the determinants of variation. We have also compared

and contrasted our findings for both the districts wherever possible.

Birbhum District

Installation of Sources

There are mainly five types of sources of water supply in Birbhum district. The types

of sources vary across the blocks. As on March 2000, in Nalhati-I block there are 18

standpost per ten thousand population, while in Khoirasole, Rajnagar and Rampurhat­

I there are no existing standpost (Table 6.3). The number of deep well pump per ten

thousand population is 75 in Mayureswar-I and 68 in Labpur. On the other hand, there

is no deep well pump in Rajnagar and number of deep well pump per ten thousand

population in Md. Bazar is 7. Instead there are 83 ring bored tubewell per ten

thousand population in Rajnagar and 43 per ten thousand population in -Md Bazar. In

Md. Bazar there are also 60 masonry well per ten thousand population. Blocks where

number of deep well pump is more the number of ring bored tubewell and masonry

well is less. Ordinary tubewells are also few in number in blocks where the number of

Ring Bored Tubewell is higher. Geographical conditions have led to choice of

different type of systems. Blocks in western part of the districts have rocky

consolidated formation and old alluvial. So ring bored tubewell and masonry well are

the main sources of water in these blocks. On the other hand, blocks in the eastern and

southern part of the district have deposits of both old and new alluvial. Ordinary

tubewell and deep well pump are more prevalent in these blocks. In this section, we

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have attempted to examine whether along with geographical considerations there are

some other factors, which determine the installation of different type of sources.

Table 6.3: Block-wise Different Type of Water Supply Sources in Birbhum District as on March 2000

per t ousan popu atzon JOh d l .

Stand post Ring Bored Masonary Deep Well Ordinary Block Tubewell Well Pump Tubewell Bolpur-Sriniketan 10 1 3 46 24 Dubrajpur 6 38 27 16 13 lllambazar 14 0 6 51 25 Khoirasole 0 41 30 3 14 Labpur 9 0 3 68 5 Mayureswar-1 3 15 2 75 13 Mayureswar-11 4 2 1 58 28 Md. Bazar 1 43 60 7 5 Murarai-1 16 5 11 33 5 Murarai-11 8 2 0 48 3 Nalhati-1 18 16 10 33 8 Nalhati-11 11 3 0 62 1 Nanoor 3 1 0 63 18 Raj nagar 0 83 0 0 0 Rampurhat-1 0 23 13 38 14 Rampurhat-11 1 2 0 61 6 Saithia 5 7 3 51 28 Suri-1 8 56 18 11 9 Suri-11 7 29 0 44 14

Source: Public Health Engmeenng Department, West Bengal

The ZP in the Birbhum district distributes funds for sinking andre-sinking of tubewell

to the Panchayat Sarnities. Distribution pattern of such fund during 2006-07 illustrates

that funds are almost equally distributed across blocks. Most of the blocks have

received 5.71 percent of total fund (Table 6.4). Other blocks have obtained 4 to 5

percent of total fund. Per capita allocation has been found to be lowest at Rs. 1.67 in

Nalhati-1 block and highest at Rs. 3.93 in Suri-II block. However, the block-wise per

capita allocation of fund also does not differ much across blocks. It implies that

distribution of fund for sinking and resinking of tubewell is not guided by any strong

criteria based on geographical condition and need of the people. Funds available to

the ZP are almost equally distributed in all the blocks.

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Table 6.4: Block-wise Sub-allotment of Fund from Zilla Parishad to Panchayat Samiti for Sinking, Resinking of Tubewell in Birbhum District during 2006-07

Block Per capita Allocation (Rs.) Percentage Distribution Suri-1 3.15 4.29 Suri-11 3.93 4.29 Md.Bazar 2.89 5.71 Sainthia 2.42 5.71 Rajnagar 5.76 5.71 Dub raj pur 2.52 5.71 Khoyrasole 2.94 5.71 Bolpur-Sriniketan 1.95 5.00 Dlambazar 2.75 5.71 Lab pur 2.24 5.71 Nanoor 2.08 5.71 Rampurhat-1 2.55 5.71 Rampurhat-11 2.19 5.00 Mayureswar-1 2.49 5.00 Mayureswar-11 2.63 4.29 Murarai-1 2.61 5.71 Murarai-11 2.26 5.71 Nalhati-1 1.67 5.00 Nalhati-11 2.80 4.29 Total 2.54 100

Source: Zilla Panshad , B1rbhum D1stnct

. We have made an attempt to find out the determining factors of per capita standpost

(PSP), per capita ring bored tubewell (PRBTW), per capita deep well pump (PDWP),

per capita ordinary tubewell (PORD) and per capita masonry well (PMW) at the block

level. These variables have been regressed on LITERACY, SCST, NEEDWATER,

DEPRIVATION, and LAl. To control for geographical condition we have taken

WESTERN as a dummy variable. It takes the value 1 if blocks belong to western part

of the district and 0 otherwise. The dependent variables in these regressions are

truncated since any single type of water supply source is not available in each and

every block. So we have used Tobit regression model in our analysis. We have taken

LA1 instead of LA in this case because the figures available are as on 2000. The

regression model is specified as:

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SOURCE= c +LITERACY+ SCST + NEEDWATER +DEPRIVATION+ LAl

+ WESTERN+ ei i = 1, 2, 3, .... m blocks

where SOURCE= PSP, PRBTW, PDWP, PORD or PMW

The regression results are illustrated in Table 6.5. We have found that when PSP is

the dependent variable, statistically significant independent variables are UTERACY,

SCST, NEEDWATER, DEPRIVATION and LAl. The coefficient of LITERACY is

positive, SCST is negative, NEEDWATER is positive, DEPRIVATION is negative

and LAl is positive. WESTERN has turn out to be insignificant When PRBTW is

dependent variable, only the coefficient of WESTERN turns out to be significant

having a positive sign. When PDWP is the dependent variable the significant

independent variables are UTERACY and WESTERN. The coefficient of

UTERACY has turned out to be positive and the coefficient of WESTERN has

turned out to be negative. When PORD is the dependent variable none of the

independent variables have turned out to be significant. Lastly when PMW is the

dependent variable the independent variables that turn out to be significant are SCST,

NEEDW A TER and WESTERN. Coefficients of all these variables are positive.

Table 6.5: Maximum Likelihood Estimation of Determinants of Block-wise Per Capita Stand post, Ring Bored Tubewell, Deep Well Pump, Ordinary Tubewell, Masonary Well in Birbhum District

ason2000 PSP PRBTW PDWP PORD PMW

LITERACY 0.00005** -0.00013 0.00016** 0.00005 -0.00008 (2.34) (-1.39) (2.18) (1.09) (-1.16)

SCST -Q.00003* 0.00009 .0.00003 0.00003 0.00013** (-1.82) (1.39) (-0.68) (1.11) (2.15)

NEEDWATER 0.00003* -0.00010 0.00006 -0.00001 0.00019** (1.85) (-1.30) (0.91) (-0.19) (2.53)

WESTERN -0.00036 0.00275** -0.00305*** -0.00075 0.00182** (-1.59) (2.64) (-3.64) (-1.46) (2.25)

DEPRIVATION -0.00019*** 0.00015 -o.00010 -0.00006 0.00010 (-5.25) (0.95) (-0.76) (-0.71) (0.79)

LA1 0.00003*** -0.00002 -0.00001 0.00001 -0.00004 (3.33) (-0.73) (-0.60) (0.62) (-1.34)

constant 0.0075*** 0.00050 .0.00343 -0.00017 -0.00681 (3.90) (-0.06) (-0.48) (-0.04) (-0.87)

Log likelihood 103.61 84.70 93.75 102.28 71.46 LR chi square 22.49 17.63 23.64 6.06 14.82 Prob>Chi2 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.42 0.02 ..

Numbers m the parenthesis are t statistics * Significant at 10% Level, ** Significant at 5% Level and *** Significant at 1% Level

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The results suggest that as need of water supply of a block increases, per capita

standpost also increases in the block. Representation of Left Alliance in the PS is also

important in ushering in new standposts but not in other type of water supply systems.

This may be because PS having higher percentage of Left Alliance representatives can

bargain funds for piped water supply by greater amount from ZP, where the same

party is the dominant force. Moreover, piped water supply system is most safe and

reliable source, and so it is politically most attractive type of source. Piped water

supply is also distributed more in blocks where percentage of SC and ST population

and deprivation is less. It is contrary to out expectation that water supply sources

would be more distributed in blocks where SC and ST population is higher and blocks

that are economically more deprived. This relation could be due to higher bargaining

strength of ZP, that are economically stronger and resided by less SC and ST

population, for pre-empting the safest and most reliable type of water supply source.

Deep well pump is the second most safe and reliable source of drinking water. Both in

case of stand post and deep well pump sources are distributed in blocks· where people

are more literate, having more bargaining power. Another aspect that comes out of the

analysis is that ring bored tubewell is distributed more in western blocks having old

alluvial and rocky surface. On the other hand, deep well pump is distributed more in

eastern and southern blocks where there are both new and old alluvial. Masonary

well is distributed more in blocks where there is more SC and ST population and need

for drinking water. It is also distributed more in western blocks.

Functioning of Sources

Installation of sources is important, so as functioning of these sources. In Birbhum

district it has been observed that percentage of sources functioning varies widely

across blocks (Table A.6.1. in Appendix). It has been observed that in many other

blocks all the standposts are functioning. On the other hand, in Suri-11 only 68% of

the standposts are functioning. In case of ring bored tubewell in Bolpur-Sriniketan

block all the sources are functioning, while in Md. Bazar block only 33 percent of the

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sources are functioning. In Labpur and Sainthia blocks no masonry well is

functioning, while in Bolpur-Sriniketan block all the sources are functioning.

Similarly, in case of deep well pump, in lllambazar and Suri-1 96 percent of the

sources are operating while the same in Md. Bazar is 49 percent. In Suri-1 block 95

percent of ordinary tubewells are functioning. On the contrary, in Labpur, Nalhati-11

and Rampurhat-11 blocks none of the ordinary tubewells are functioning.

The prime responsibility of operation and maintenance (O&M) of piped water supply

is with PHED. The responsibility of O&M of the rural piped water supply has been

given to the Panchayat Samiti in nine schemes. The names of schemes in respe.ctive

blocks are 1. Tinor, lllambazar block; 2. Joydeb-Kenduli, lllambazar; 3. Illambazar,

lllambazar block; 4. Muraroi, Muraroi-1 block; 5. Pachiara, Dubrajpur block; 6.

Nanoor, Nanoor block; 7. Surul, Bolpur-Sriniketanblock; 8. Layek Bajar, Bolpur­

Sriniketan block; 9. Chatra-Zone-1 & II, Muraroi-1 & II block. Either civil or .

mechanicaVelectrical component or both of O&M activity have been transferred to

the Panchyat Samiti in these schemes. In Bolpur-Sriniketan block the O&M of lifting

of the groundwater to the reservoir is taken care of by PHED. The distribution of

water from the reservoir to the standposts and households is taken care of by the PS.

In case of maintenance of other tubewell and handpump, PS and GP have the

responsibility of maintaining these sources.

The Zilla Parishad of Birbhum district allocates funds for O&M of rural piped water

supply by the Panchayat Samities. During 2006-07, the Zilla Parishad has distributed

more than Rs. 17 lakhs for this purpose. This fund is distributed almost equally to the

schemes. Table 6.6 shows that in Murarai-1, Murarai-11, Nanoor and Dubrajpur blocks

14.59 percent of total fund has been allocate. In lllambazar block 41.62 percent of

total fund has been allocated as there are three schemes in this block where

responsibility of O&M has been transferred to the Panchayat Samiti.

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Table 6.6:Block-wise Allocation of Fund for O&M of Rural Piped Water Supply Scheme Run by Panchyat Samiti in Birbhum District during 2006-07

Name of Block/ Name of location of Water Amount Sub-allotted (Rs) Percentage Panchayat Supply Scheme Distribution Samiti

lllambazar Tinor/ Joydev-Kendulil 713000 41.62 lllambazar

Murarai-1 Murarai 250000 14.59 Murarai-11 Chatra/ Paikar 250000 14.59 Nanoor Nanoor 250000 14.59 Dubrajpur Pachiara 250000 14.59 All 1713000 100

Source. Z11la Panshad , 811bhum Distnct

Zilla Parishad also allocates funds to Panchayat Samiti for O&M of other rural water

supply systems. It has been observed that in Birbhum district yearly per capita fund

(PFUND) for O&M of water supply distributed toPS by ZP during 2002-04 is Rs

4.53 (Table 6.7). It is lowest in Bolpur-Sriniketan block at Rs. 2.33 and highest in

lliambazar block at Rs. 8.74. In our analysis, we will examine whether the distribution

of funds from ZP to PS are related to the need of fund of the block and influence of

the Left Alliance representative in the PS. Maintenance fund is expected to be

distributed according to the need of maintaining different kinds of systems. Need of

fund for maintenance would increase as per capita standpost, ring bored tubewell,

masonary well, deep well pump and ordinary tubewell increase in a block. Higher

Left Alliance representative in the PS may be able to bargain larger amount of fund

for the PS.

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Table 6.7: Block-wise Per Capita Annual Distribution of Fund by Zilla Parishad to Panchayat Samiti for O&M of Rural Water Supply in Birbhum District

during 2002-04 R upees

Panchayat Samiti Per Capital Annual Fund Bolpur-Sriniketan 2.33 Dubrajpur 5.56 lllambazar 8.74 Khayrasole 5.62 Labpur 3.05 Mayureswar-1 3.95 Mayureswar-11 3.01 Md. Bazar 7.38 Murarai-1 5.54 Murarai-11 4.23 Nalhati-1 3.28 Nalhati-11 2.79 Nanoor 4.83 Raj nagar 6.31 Rampurhat-1 4.38 Rampurhat-11 2.82 Saithia 4.52 Suri-1 4.77 Suri-11 4.94 Total 4.53

Source: Zilla Panshad, Btrbhum District

We have analysed the detenninants of the distribution of fund from ZP to the PS.

Fund for O&M of water supply across blocks is expected to be distributed according

to the existence of different types of water supply sources in the blocks. Among

various types of water supply sources, we have only considered standpost, ring bored

tubewell and ordinary tubewell among different types of water supply sources. Other

types of water supply sources have been dropped due to the presence of

multicollenearity problem. We have constructed two different models taking PFUND

as dependent variable. The common sets of independent variables in these two

different models are per capita ring bored tubewell (PRBTW), per capita ordinary

tubewell (PORD) and LA (Table 6.8). In some of the blocks maintenance of piped

water supply schemes is done through PS. We expect that funds would be distributed

by a higher margin in these blocks. Blocks where PS maintains the piped water supply

has been marked by an dummy variable (intercept dummy) PSMAINTAIN.

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Alternatively, we have constructed a slope dummy of PSP representing the blocks

where PS maintains piped water supply. This variable is named as DPSP. We have

alternatively used PSMAINT AIN in Model I; and PSP and DPSP in Model II. The

specification of these models is as follows:

Model I: PFUND= c + PRBTW + PORD + PSMAINTAIN +LA+~

Model II: PFUND = c + PRBTW + PORD + PSP + DPSP + LA + ~

i = 1, 2, .... m blocks

The results of regression models are represented in Table 6.8. We found that PRBTW

is significant in both the models. In Model I PSMAINTAIN and in Model II only

DPSP turns out to be significant. The variable LA is insignificant in both the models.

We have found that Model II is better fitted than Model I

Table 6.8: Detenninants of Distribution of Block-wise Per Capita Funds from ZP to PS in Birbhum District

PFUND Modell Model II

PRBTW 359.73* 344.28 (2.00) (1.76)

PORD 296.5 98.24 (0.63) (0.21)

PSMAINTAIN 1.59** (2.17)

PSP -563.79 (-0.72)

DPSP 1805.66** (2.45)

LA 0.01 0.02 (1.02) (0.82)

Constant 2.06 1.96 (1.17) (1.1 0)

R square 0.47 0.51 Adjusted R square 0.32 0.32 Prob>F 0.05 0.07

Numbers m the parentheSis are t statistics * Significant at 10% Level, ** Significant at 5% Level and *** Significant at 1% Level

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The result implies that funds are distributed more in blocks where there are more ring­

bored tubewell and maintenance responsibility for piped water supply has been taken

over by the PS. Moreover, fund for maintenance of piped water supply increases with

the scale, i.e, per capita available standpost. These two models reveal that

representation of ruling party (Left Alliance) in the PS does not influence distribution

of fund. The reason behind it might be that maintenance of water supply systems is

not politically as attractive as installation of sources, particularly in case of piped

water supply.

South 24 Parganas District

lnstallaJion of Sources

The analysis of delivery of water supply is very limited in this section due to paucity

of data. We have only done an analysis on deep tubewells/ deep well pumps sunk for

school under the PMGY programme. It has been found that number of tubewell sunk

per lakh population under PMGY programme varies widely in South 24 Parganas

district (Table 6.9). In 14 out of 29 blocks no tubewells has been sunk under the

PMGY programme. On the other hand, in Sonarpur and Budge Budge-ll block

number of tubewell sunk per lakh population is 42 and 37 respectively. Tubewell is a

better sources of drinking water in blocks affected by arsenic contamination.

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Table 6.9: Block-wise Distribution of Tubewells Sunk Under PMGY Programme Till July 2004 in South 24 Parganas District

per a pop l kh ulation PS Number Baruipur 23 Basanti 0 Bhangor-1 39 Bhangor-11 25 Bishnupur-1 23 Bishnupur-11 33 Budge Budge-1 6 Budge Budge-11 37 Canning-I 0 Canning-II 0 Diamond Harbour-1 0 Diamond Harbour-11 0 Falta 2 Gosaba 0 Joynagar-1 26 Joynagar-11 0 Kakdwip 0 Kulpi 0 Kultali 1 Mandir Bazar 0 Mathurapur-1 5 Mathurapur-11 2 Mograhat-1 0 Mograhat-11 27 Namkhana 0 Pathar Pratima 0 Sagar 0 Sonarpur 42 Thakurpukur Maheshtala 1 Total 10

Source: Public Health Engmeenng Department, West Bengal

We have looked into the determinants of construction of per capita PMGY tubewell

(PPMGYTUBE) in different blocks of South 24 Parganas. We have regressed

PPMGYTUBE on LITERACY, SCST, NEEDWATER, DEPRIVATION, LA and

ARSENIC. The variable arsenic is a dummy variable, which takes the value 1 for

blocks where groundwater is affected by arsenic contamination and 0 otherwise. In

this case, we have again used Tobit regression model since in many of the blocks no

tubewell has been installed. The Tobit regression model has been specified as follows:

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PPMGYTUBE = constant + LITERACY + SCST + NEEDW A TER +

DEPRIVATION + LA + ARSENIC + ~

i= 1, 2, ... m blocks

The maximum likelihood estimated of the determinants of per capita PMGY tubewell

is presented in Table 6.10. We have found that only DEPRIVATION and ARSENIC

turns out to be significant. The coefficient of DEPRIVATION is negative and

ARSENIC is positive. It implies that per capita installation of tubewell is higher in

blocks where groundwater is affected by arsenic contamination. Moreover, it has been

set up more in blocks where people are less deprived. It is contrary to the expectation.

The reason behind this may be that as people become economically stronger their

bargaining strength increases in getting tubewell from ZP. It has also been observed

that the representation of Left Alliance in the PS does not significantly influence the

sinking of tubewell in the block. The last two finding are similar to the findings

obtained in case of deep well pump in Birbhum district.

Table 6.10: Maximum Likelihood Estimates of Determinants of Block-wise Per Capita PMGY Tubewell in South 24 Parganas District as on 2004

Variable PPMGYTUBE

LITERACY -2.97e-06 (-0.57)

SCST 4.55e-07 (0.29)

NEEDWATER -2.19e-06 (-0.91)

DEPRIVATION -4.63e-06 ** (-2.71)

ARSENIC 0.0003*** (6.44)

LA -3.22e-07 (-0.80)

constant 0.0004 (1.07)

Log likelihood 114.68 LR chi square 41.78 Prob>chi2 0.00

Numbers m the parenthests are t statistics * Significant at 10% Level, ** Significant at 5% Level and *** Significant at 1% Level

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In this section, it has been found that geographical conditions and water quality are

important detenninant of type of water supply source. In western part of Birbhum

district where soil is made of rocky consolidated formation and old alluvium, there

ring bored tubewell are mainly installed. On the other hand, in the eastern and

southern part of the district where soil is made of both old and new alluvium, there

deep :-ven pump is mainly installed. In South 24 Parganas district PMGY tubewells

are mainly installed in blocks affected by arsenic contamination. The installation of

suitable source according to geographical condition and groundwater quality has been

possible may be due to decentralisation in the sector by making PHED at block level

accountable to the PS. In a centralised system poor hydrological investigation often

plagues rural water supply scheme (World Bank, 1998a). Literacy and/or economic

condition has been found to be important detenninant of blockwise provision of water

supply sources, which are more reliable and technologically sophisticated. This has

been found to hold true in case of piped water supply and deep well pump in Birbhum

district; and in case of PMGY tubewell in South 24 Parganas district.

Greater presence of Left Alliance (majority party in the ZP) in the PS leads to greater

provision of water supply service which is safer and technologically more

sophisticated. This is because these sources are politically attractive to the

representatives of PS. If they are from Left Alliance then it is easier for them to

bargain resources for it from ZP. Tubewell installation has been observed to be not

politically attractive for members of PS in both Birbhum and South 24 Parganas

district. This is because tubewell is the less safe and reliable source of drinking water

than piped water supply. Maintenance of sources has not been found to be politically

attractive in Birbhum district. Maintenance fund has been distributed according to the

need of the blocks.

6.4. Progress of TSC

The progress of TSC has not been uniform across the districts as has been observed in

the earlier chapter. In this section we have examined the progress of TSC across

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blocks. We have information about block-wise yearly construction of latrines during

2001-02 to 2003-04 for Birbhum and Jalpaiguri district; and during 2000-01 to 2003-

04 for Hugli district. In case of Purulia we have information for the period 1999-00 to

2002-03. For other districts information is available from 1999-00 to 2003-04. Yearly

construction of latrines per thousand population has been observed to be much higher

in Howrah, Medinipur and Barddhaman districts as compared to other districts of the

state (Table 6.11). It is low in Birbhum, Malda Uttar Dinajpur and Purulia. It has been

observed that variation of progress of TSC across blocks, measured by coefficient of

variation (CV) of construction of toilet per thousand population, is high in districts

where progress is less and vice versa. The correlation coefficient between

construction of latrine per thousand population and its coefficient of variation is -0.67,

which is significant at 1% level. This is probably because in districts where progress

is less there TSC has only been initiated in few blocks.

Table 6.11: District-wise Yearly Construction of Latrine and Variation of Yearly Construction across Blocks in West Bengal

ho pert d l . usan :]!_opu atzon District Latrine Coefficient of

Constructed Variation Bankura 6 90.36 Barddhaman 19 57.55 Birbhum 1 127.55 Dakshin Dinajpur 5 42.44 Howrah 26 44.19 Hugli 7 88.89 Jalpaiguri 7 84.65 Koch Bihar 7 69.27 Maida 3 108.94 Medinipur 21 37.77 Murshidabad 6 53.80 Nadia 6 70.22 North 24 Parganas 13 46.35 Puruliya 3 89.71 South 24 Parganas 6 62.55 \

Uttar Dinajpur 3 79.22 Source: State lnstttute of Panchayat and Rural Development, West Bengal

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Construction of latrine per thousand population has been found to be lowest in

Birbhum district. On the other hand, coefficient of variation (CV) of construction of

latrine per thousand population is highest in Birbhum. In South 24 Parganas district

per capita construction is much higher but variation across blocks is substantially

lower than Birbhum district. In the remaining part of this section, we have looked into

the blockwise progress of TSC of Birbhum and South 24 Parganas district in detail.

It has been observed that by March 2007 toilet cbnstructed per 100 population in

Birbhum district is 5 and in South 24 Parganas district it is 7 (Table 6.12). In both the

districts number of toilet constructed per hundred populations varies highly across

blocks. In Birbhum district it is lowest at 2 in Nalhati-I block and it is highest at 20 in

lllambazar block. In lllambazar block it is substantially higher than other blocks of the

Birbhum district. In South 24 Parganas district it is 2 in Mograhat-11 block, while it is

25 in Budge Budge-I block.

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Table 6.12: Block-wise Construction of Toilet in Birbhum and South 24 Parganas District Till March 2007

per 100 1 . p_p]Jll atwn South 24 Parganas Birbhum

Block No of Latrine Block No of Latrine Baruipur 5 Bolpur 7 Basanti 7 Dubrajpur 5 Bhangore-1 8 lllambazar 20 Bhanoore-11 7 Khovrasole 3 Bishnupur - I 13 LabQUr 7 Bishnupur - II 5 Mayureswar-1 6 Budge Budge I 25 Mayureswar-11 4 Budge Budge II 11 Md. Bazar 3 Cannino-1 4 Murarai-1 3 Cannino -II 3 Murarai-11 3 Diamond Harbour- I 4 Nalhati-1 2 Diamond Harbour- II 4 Nalhati-11 5 Falta 7 Nanoor 5 Gosaba 11 Rajnagar 7 Joynagar-1 4 Rampurhat-1 4 Joynagar -II 4 Rampurhat-11 5 Kakdwip 10 Sainthia 4 Kulpi 7 Suri -I 4 Kultali 4 Suri-11 6 Mandirbazar 8 All 5 Mathurapur- I . 9 Mathuraour-11 5 Moorahat-1 7 Mograhat-11 2 Namkhana 11 Pathar Pratima 10 Sagar 11 Sonarpur 4 Thakurpukur -Maheshtala 14 All 7

Source: State Institute of Panchayat and Rural Development, West Bengal

Before going into the reasons behind interblock variation in programme performance

we will look into the block-wise distribution of funds for implementation of TSC. The

funds are distributed by ZP to the Executive Officer of the PS. It has been observed

that in case of Birbhum district, around 51 percent of the government expenditure on

TSC has been incurred on school sanitation till 2007 (Table 6.13). Subsidy for

individual latrine has accounted for around 35 percent of total expenditure in

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Birbhum. On the other hand, in South 24 Parganas district till 2004 around 50 percent

of the total expenditure of the government on TSC has been on subsidy for individual

household latrine. Information Education and Communication (IEC) which is an

important component in TSC, has accounted for 9 percent of total expenditure in

Birbhum and 12 percent in South 24 Parganas district.

Table 6.13: Percentage Distribution of Fund by Different Components of TSC in Birbhum and South 24 Parganas District

Birbhum South 24 Parganas

(As on 30/4/07) (during 13/08/2001 to

Components of TSC 3111012004) Strat up Activity 3.69 9.95

IEC 9.15 11.72 Alternate Delivery Mechanism (RSM/ PC) 1.38 2.79

Subsidy for Individual Household Latrrine 34.8 49.65

School Sanitation 50.97 25.89

Total Amount 100 100 Source: Z1lla Panshad , South 24 Parganas and B1rbhum D1stnct

The block-wise allocation of government fund for TSC for both the districts has been

illustrated in Table A.6.2. in Appendix. It has been observed that in South 24

Parganas district although 50 percent of the expenditure is spent on subsidy but there

are wide variations across the blocks. In Namkhana and Kulpi block, no fund has been

allocated as subsidy, while in Sagar block percentage of funds allocated as subsidy is

as high as 78 percent. Low allocation for subsidy may lead to less adoption of the

programme by the BPL population. Furthermore, the percentage of fund allocated for

IEC is as low as 4 percent in Bhangore~I block and 5 percent in Pathar Pratima block.

In Birbhum district, percentage of allocation for IEC is between 6 to 7 percent in

Nanoor, Labpur and Rampurhat-11 block. Expenditure on IEC is important as it helps

in generating demand for sanitary facility. Although school sanitation has accounted

for around 51 percent in the district but in Illambazar block it has accounted for only

23 percent of the total allocation. In both the districts in many blocks there has not

been any expenditure on alternative delivery mechanism (rural sanitary mart or the

production centre). This component of expenditure is important as it is used or setting

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up of rural sanitary mart or the production centre. Moreover, it is used as construction

of shed, training of masons and also as a revolving fund. Scarcity of this fund may

hamper timely delivery of sanitary facilities to households adopting TSC.

Utilisation of funds allocated has also been found to vary across different components

and also across blocks. In Birbhum districts it has been observed that in all the blocks

100 percent fund for start-up activity has been utilised till2007. Utilisation of fund for

IEC activity differs extensively among the blocks. It has been observed that in Labpur

100 percent of the fund for IEC has been utilised while in Raj nagar only 24 percent of

the fund has been utilised (Table 6.14). Low utilisation of the fund for IEC activity is

of grave concern since IEC is one of the most important components of TSC. In case

of subsidy, 100 percent of the fund has been utilised in lllambazar block but

utilisation is as low as 20 percent in Murarai-11. Low utilisation of fund for subsidy

implies less construction of toilet by the BPL households than they ought to have

constructed. In Khoyrasole, lllambazar, Nanoor and Labpur the entire fund allocated

for school sanitation has been utilised. However, in Mayureswar-1 and Nalhati n it is

at 56 percent and 54 percent respectively. Overall utilisation of fund allocated for

TSC has been around 74 percent on Birbhum district till2007.

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Table 6.14: Block-wise Percentage of Utilisation of Fund Sub-alloted to the Panchayat Samiti for TSC from Birbhum Zilla Parishad as on 30/4/07

Subsidy

Start up Alternate for

School Total Block IEC Delivery Individual

Activity Mechanism Household

Sanitation Amount

Latrine Suri-1 100 40 100 25 79 63 Suri-11 100 32 50 96 70 Md.Bazar 100 84 25 79 66 Sainthia 100 73 33 92 75 Rajnagar 100 24 100 39 76 59 Dubrajpur 100 80 36 67 64 Khoyrasole 100 35 100 33 100 79 lllambazar 100 88 100 100 100 99 Bolpur-

100 53 50 73 66 Sriniketan Nanoor 100 54 62 100 85

Lab pur 100 100 100 62 100 84

Mayureswar-1 100 33 100 56 76 Mayureswar-11 100 78 74 94 72 80 Rampurhat-1 100 40 100 50 84 70 Rarnpurhat -II 100 57 76 75 75 Na1hati-I 100 31 70 76 72 Nalhati-11 100 27 100 22 54 47

Murarai-1 100 46 33 65 58

Murarai-11 100 35 76 20 72 57

Total 100 56 89 65 82 74 Source: Zilla Panshad , Bnbhum 01stnct

In Birbhum district, till April 2007 total allocation per hundred populations has been

around Rs. 1811. Variation in this case is also high across blocks. It ranges from Rs.

1181 per hundred population in Murarai-II to Rs 3783 per hundred population in

lllambazar (Table A.6.3 in Appendix). The per capita allocation of different

components of the fund also varies widely across the blocks. In lllambazar allocation

of subsidy per hundred populations is around Rs. 2486, while in Murarai-II it is

around Rs. 282. High positive correlation has been observed between per capita total

allocation and per capita construction of toilet till 2007. The relation between the two

is illustrated in Figure 6.4. The correlation coefficient has been observed to be 0.88,

which is significant at 1% level. This may be due to increase in per capita subsidy as

construction of toilets by households from the BPL population increases. Moreover,

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expenditure for other purposes like start up activity, IEC .and alternative delivery

mechanism (RSMIPC) may also increase the per capita construction of toilet.

Total allocation per hundred population till2004 (13/8/2001 to 31110/2004) has been

around Rs. 593 in South 24 Parganas district. It has been found to vary from Rs 173 in

Kulpi to Rs. 1560 in Bhangore-1 (Appendix Table A.6.3). Similar ·variation can also

be observed for different components of allocation, among which variation is highest

in per capita subsidy. In Kulpi and Namkhana subsidy per hundred populations is 0,

may be as the programme has not been adopted by any BPL household. It has been

found to be highest in Bhangore-1 block at around Rs. 850 per hundred populations.

Allocation of subsidy indicates progress of the programme among BPL households. It

has been observed that allocation per hundred population till 2004 is having high

positive correlation with per capita construction of toilet till 2004. The relation

between them is illustrated in Figure 6.5. The correlation coefficient has been

observed to be 0.62, which is significant at 1% level. The reasons behind such a

correlation are same as in case of Birbhum district.

In analysing the inter-block variation in distribution of funds for different components

of TSC in South 24 Parganas and Birbhum district, we have only considered

allocation on subsidy, school sanitation and IEC. This is because allocation on these

components constitutes major shares in total allocation for TSC. In addition to that,

we have also analysed inter-block variation in latrine construction. All these have

been analysed by taking partial correlation of per capita allocation in subsidy

(PSUBSIDY), per capita allocation in IEC (PIEC), per capita allocation in school

sanitation (PSS), per capita total allocation (PTOTAL) and per capita total

construction of latrine till March 2007 (PTCL) with NOLA TRINE, LITERACY, LA,

SCST, and DEPRN ATION.

In case of South 24 Parganas it has been found that the partial correlation of LA with

PSUBSIDY and PTOTAL is significant and positive (Table 6.15). PTCL is having

significant positive correlation with LITERACY. All other correlation coefficients are

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insignificant. It implies that the higher is the presence of Left Alliance representative

in the PS, greater is the amount disbursed from ZP toPS for subsidy. It may be due to

greater bargaining strength of Left Alliance dominated PS in garnering more

resources for subsidy from the ZP which is also dominated by the Left Alliance. The

positive relation between per capita total expenditure and percentage of Left Alliance

in the PS is presumably due to the same reason since subsidy accounts for a major

proportion of fund allocated. Per capita construction of latrine increases as literacy

rate increases since literacy helps people to better understand the programme and also

benefits of using toilet.

Table 6.15: Partial Correlation of Block-wise Different Components of Per Capita Fund Distributed from ZP to PS and Per Capita Yearly Latrines

·Constructed With Other Variables in South 24 Parganas and Birbhum District

District PSUBSIDY PIEC PSS PTOTAL PTCL

NOLA TRINE 0.26 0.09 0.14 0.25 0.15

liTERACY 0.08 0.04 0.03 0.08 0.42** South 24 Parganas LA 0.56*** -0.01 0.23 0.46** 0.16

SCST 0.02 0.25 -0.07 O.ol -0.16

DEPRIVATION -0.12 -0.32 -0.09 -0.19 -0.16

NOLA TRINE -0.09 0.28 0.12 0.001 -0.12

liTERACY 0.34 0.2 -0.03 0.34 0.26 Birbhum LA 0.24 0.28 0.32 0.36 0.41

SCST -0.35 0.03 0.02 -0.34 -0.36

DEPRIVATION 0.43 -0.08 0.22 0.46* 0.32 * S1gmficant at 10% Level, ** S1gruficant at 5% Level and *** S1gruficant at 1% Level

In Birbhum district it has been observed that among all the variables only

DEPRIVATION is having significant positive relation with PTOTAL. All other

correlations have been found to be insignificant. It may be due to higher amount of

subsidy getting allocated towards blocks where deprivation as well as BPL population

is higher. However, it has been observed that the correlation between PSUBSIDY and

DEPRIVATION is insignificant although positive. The coefficient is very close to the

coefficient of partial correlation between PTOTAL and DEPRIVATION. Other than

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subsidy, per capita allocation for startup activity and school sanitation may also be

higher in blocks where deprivation of household is higher.

The correlations between socio-economic variables and per capita allocation as well

as per capita construction of toilet are not similar in both the districts. It suggests that

allocation pattern of fund by ZP to PSs in different districts is dissimilar. ZPs are

likely to have a large role in allocation of fund across blocks and among different

categories. PSs also play important role in bargaining resources for subsidy.

6.5. Summary and Conclusion

In the block level study of rural water supply, we have taken evidence from only two

districts Birbhum and South 24 Parganas. In both the districts type of sources has

been observed to be determined according to the geographical conditions and

groundwater quality, especially in case of tubewell. This has been done through close

coordination of PHED and the local government. In Birbhum district piped water

supply has been found to be politically attractive to the PS. Other types of water

supply, which are less safe and reliable source of drinking, have not been found to be

politically attractive. Piped water supply and deep well pump in Birbhum district have

been found to be distributed more in blocks where literacy rate is higher and

economic condition of households are better. This happens due to better bargaining

power of PS of these blocks in the ZP. Role of PS in water supply may be identified

in distribution of higher per capita standpost and well in blocks where need of water

supply is higher. Fund for sinking and resinking of tubewell has been found to be

almost equally distributed from ZP to the PSs. In South 24 Pargans district deep

tubewells are found to be distributed more in favour of blocks inhabited by

households having better economic condition. The distribution of fund from ZP to PS

for maintenance of water sources did not appear to be politically attractive in Birbhum

District. It is distributed by higher amount to blocks where PS has taken over the

responsibility of maintenance of piped water supply. Birbhum ZP almost equally

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distributes total fund available for O&M of piped water supply to the schemes where

O&M responsibility has been taken over by the PS.

It has been observed that yearly construction of latrine per thousand population during

1999-00 to 2003-04 is lowest in Birbhum among all the districts of West Bengal. In

case of South 24 Parganas district also it is below the average. The variation in

performance across blocks is highest in Birbhum district among all the districts of

West Bengal. It has been observed that in both the districts block-wise allocation of

per capita total government fund for TSC is positively correlated to per capita

construction of toilets. Allocation of fund for different component of TSC has also

been found to vary across blocks in both the districts. Very small proportion of fund

has been allocated for IEC in many of the blocks in both the districts. Moreover, in

both the districts in many blocks there has not been any expenditure on alternative

delivery mechanism. It has also been observed in Birbhum district that utilisation of

fund for IEC activity and subsidy is low in many blocks.

In South 24 Parganas district per capita allocation of subsidy is high in block where

percentage of Left Alliance is higher. This may be due to the greater bargaining

strength of the Left Alliance dominated PS to bargain resources from ZP, which is

also dominated by the Left Alliance. Per capita construction of latrine increases as

literacy rate increases since literacy helps people to better understand the programme

and also benefit of using toilet. In Birbhum district per capita total allocation increases

as deprivation of the bock increases. It may be due to higher amount of allocation of

subsidy, startup activity and IEC in blocks which are more deprived. It seems from

the analysis that ZP is taking a leading role in allocation of fund across different

categories and blocks in each district. PSs also bargains resources for subsidy, which

is their responsibility to distribute to the beneficiaries.

197

Chapter6

Figure 6.1: Percentage of Household Using Different Water Supply Sources in Birbhum District

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0% ll:l 0

iii" " !;;" s:: s:: s:: s:: s:: z z z ::0 ~ ~ en en en 0 c ::1" Ill ~ p. c c e. Ill Ill ~- !!!. c c -5" C'" 3 Q. C'" '< 03 03 ::1" s= :::1 :::1 3 3 g. :::1. :::1. c ~- 03

"0 c c ll:l Ill !!1. 0 Ill "0 "0 ..!... ..!... C'" c 03 03 0 iii" 7 ~

.., m @ ~ - co c c "0 Cll !: :c ..,

en c 0 Cll ::c I: Ill 3- 3-:::1. Ill ~ ~ Ill

.., w w .., <D Ill !!1. :::1 .., .., w w

~ 2 2 w w ::!: ..!...

~ w Ill w w w :::1

lllllll Tap • Handpump l§ Tubewell Ill Weill

198

Chapter6

Figure 6.2: Block-wise Population Density and Number of Stand post in Birbhum District

2000 -c 0

:.;::; 1800 ..!!! = Q. 0 a. 1600 .c ~

C'CI ...J c 1400 Cll

1:: 0 1200 z t; 0 1000 Q. ~ c ~Density C'CI ..

en 800 ~ •standpost E ~

C' 600 Ill -c 0 I!! 400 Cll a.

~ 200 'iii c Cll c

0

199

I

10 ....

Thakurpukur-Maheshtala v ..... 0..

"' ..c:: Sonarpur <( u ~ :s Sagar I'll .... ~

Pathar Pratima I'll

~ Namkhana = f.'> =

1:::::::::::::::::::::::1111

I I I I

3~ Mathurapur II ~ '<:1' M

~ ~t Mathura~ur-1

= Mand1rbazar f/.l

.s Mograhat-11 <( ~

~ Mograhat-1 (J)

= Kuitali $:

f/.l (J) Q ..c 8: Kulpi ::l

= 1-f/.l Kakdwip II "" $

Joynagar-11 a. ~ E

= Joynagar-1 ::l <( a. e Gosaba "0

$ ~I 0 0

~ Falta ('I ::r:

Of) • . s Diamond Harbour- II ;:!)

Diamond Harbour- I a.

"0 ~ 0

-= Canning-It ~ ~

~

= Canning-!

""" Budge Budge II <( = ~ Of) Budge Budge I ~ ~ Bishnupur-11 ~ <(

~ Bishnupur-1 <(

~ Bhangore-11 ..c <(

~ Bhagore-1 <(

~· Bas anti <(

Baruipur <(

~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 <;?. ~ 0 ~ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (I() <0 v N T"'

a61!lua:uad

l 0 1-... 0 0 z 'iii' e:. c 0 ;I ., u .2 <

150

100

50

Figure 6.4: Block-wise Allocation of Fund for TSC and Construction of Toilet in Birbhum District as on 30/4/07

I~ Per capita total allocation • Construction of latrine per 1 000 population I

201

Chapter 6

1800

1600

1400 :i ·c;

1200 1-

0 0 z 1000 Cii ~ 800 c 0

i u 600 0

~ 400

200

0

Figure 6.5: Block-wise Allocation of Fund for TSC during 13/08/2001 to 31/10/2004 and Construction of Toilet in South 24 Parganas District as on March 2004

I~ Total allocation per 1 00 population • Construction of latrine per 10 thousand population I

202

Chapter 6

Appendix

Ta ble A.6.1: Percentaae Distribution of Drinking Water Sources by Functioning Condition in Blocks of Birbhum District as on March 20 Function Source Non-functioning Repairable Condition

SP RBlW MW DWP ORT SP RBlW MW DWP · BoJQur-Srinlketan 97.84 100.00 100.00 92.74 76.27 2.16 0.00 0.00 3.39

Dubrajpur 82.42 67.50 "84.07 89.19 89.55 17.58 4.00 \o.oo 3.86

lllambazar 100.00 81.25 96.63 71.62 0.00 0.00 0.00

Khovrasole 59.82 74.07 61.54 89.64 17.86 19.75 0.00

Labour 100.00 0.00 54.84 0.00 0.00 0.00 12.32

Mavureswar-1 100.00 45.19 58.62 63.54 84.27 0.00 9.62 27.59 25.57

Mavureswar-11 100.00 73.68 50.00 89.27 91.08 0.00 26.32 0.00 6.65

Md. Bazar 0.00 33.72 n.76 49.48 56.00 0.00 41.74 6.01 40.21

Muraral-1 88.40 48.61 91.76 69.86 81.58 11.60 2.78 6.47 15.n

Murarai-11 100.00 86.21 79.62 69.39 0.00 0.00 6.87

Nalhati-1 105.36 74.02 55.30 91.69 74.85 0.00 3.02 5.53 1.15 Nalhati-11 100.00 63.64 90.03 0.00 0.00 18.18 9.97

Nanoor 100.00 64.71 80.33 34.99 0.00 17.65 12.30

Rajnaqar 64.99 18.54

~m_purhat-1 52.33 63.59 79.66 75.11 10.14 13.59 9.15

~m_purhat-11 100.00 75.00 67.28 0.00 0.00 15.63 19.02

~inthia 100.00 n.o5 0.00 90.57 59.19 0.00 4.10 0.00 2.86

§llri-1 100.00 53.54 94.15 96.19 95.51 0.00 1.31 4.68 0.00

§llri-11 68.42 78.44 100.00 89.29 80.00 31.58 1.83 0.00 3.57 Source: Public Health Engmeenng Department, Government of West Bengal

SP = Standpost RBTW =Ring Bored Tubewell MW = Masonary Well DWP =Deep Well Pump ORT = Ordinary Tubewell

203

Defunct Source

ORT SP RBlW MW DWP ORT

6.22 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.87 17.51

4.98 0.00 28.50 15.93 6.95 5.47

0.00 0.00 18.75 3.37 28.38

0.00 22.32 6.17 38.46 10.36

0.00 0.00 100.00 32.84 100.00

11.24 0.00 45.19 13.79 10.89 4.49

5.73 0.00 0.00 50.00 4.08 3.18

29.33 0.00 24.54 16.23 10.31 14.67

9.21 0.00 48.61 1.76 14.37 9.21

10.20 0.00 13.79 13.51 20.41

5.99 0.00 22.96 39.17 7.16 19.16

0.00 0.00 18.18 0.00 100.00

6.71 0.00 17.65 7.38 58.31

16.46

9.78 37.53 22.82 11.19 15.11

0.00 0.00 9.38 12.68 100.00

10.68 0.00 18.85 100.00 6.56 30.13

0.00 0.00 45.15 1.17 3.81 4.49

10.91 0.00 19.72 0.00 7.14 9.09

00

Table A.6.2: Percentage Distribution of Fund for TSC from ZP to PS by Different Categories in Bl k fB. bh d s th 24 P n· t · t oc s 0 1r urn an ou arganas 1s nc

Start up lEG School activities/Survey Subsidy Activities RSM/PC Sanitation Total Work

Budoe Budge I 12.85 25.09 16.31 38.68 7.08 100

Budoe Budge II 12.32 64.77 16.54 0 6.37 100

Thakumukur-Maheshtala 25.95 35.87 27.05 0 11.13 100

Bishnuour-1 13.86 44.74 14.97 0 26.44 100

Bishnuour-11 16.94 29.17 16.97 0 36.93 100

Cannina-1 13.96 44.26 15.76 4.78 21.24 100

Cannina-11 10.61 72.76 12.36 0 4.28 100

Bas anti 11.31 56.64 11.29 3.69 17.07 100

Gosaba 8.07 59.28 9.77 0 22.88 100

Baruiour 16.19 29.65 18.77 0 35.39 100

Sonamur 11.52 37.2 16.33 0 34.94 100

South 24 Bhaaore-1 3.67 54.55 3.73 0 38.05 100

Parganas Bhanaore-11 7.13 69.35 8.07 0 15.46 100

(during Jovnaaar-1 10.84 47.26 14.76 0 27.14 100 13/08/2001 Jovnaaar-11 14.37 27.01 17.28 33.72 7.63 100 to

Kultali 14.32 57.35 20.45 0 7.88 100 31/10/2004)

Kakdwio 9.53 75.15 10.35 0 4.97 100

Namkhana 22.22 0 21.54 44.03 12.22 100

Saaar 7.8 78.19 9.22 0 4.8 100

Pathar Pratima 4.23 35.54 4.84 1.37 54.02 100

Diamond Harbour- I 9.04 41.48 11.87 0 37.62 100

Diamond Harbour- II 17.79 26.23 16.89 0 39.1 100

Falla 10.11 74.61 10.64 0 4.64 100

Kuloi 27.91 0 41.73 0 30.36 100

Moarahat-1 5.8 41.78 6.67 0 45.75 100

Moarahat-11 17.47 21.43 19.07 19.82 22.2 100

Mathuranur-1 4.82 64.26 10.28 0 20.63 100

Mathuranur-11 12.64 46.36 15.51 0 25.49 100

Mandirbazar 10.53 70.87 12.46 0 6.13 100

Total 9.95 49.65 11.72 2.79 25.89 100

Suri-1 4.24 24.66 12.63 5.24 53.23 100

Suri-11 3.51 38.51 12.29 0.00 45.69 100

Md. Bazar 4.61 26.97 12.21 0.00 56.21 100

Sainthia 4.54 26.00 10.09 0.00 59.37 100

Raina oar 3.42 33.17 11.82 1.79 49.80 100

Dubrainur 3.85 17.74 8.69 o.oo 69.72 100

Khovrasole 3.55 22.85 9.33 3.24 61.03 100

lllambazar 1.71 65.73 8.19 1.27 23.10 100

Bolour-Sriniketan 5.02 26.53 10.24 0.00 58.21 100 Birbhum Nanoor 3.28 32.32 6.42 0.00 57.98 100 (As on

Labour 3.20 41.74 6.74 2.22 30/4/07) 46.10 100

Mavureswar-1 4.32 46.25 9.74 0.00 39.69 100

Mavureswar-11 4.66 24.80 12.71 5.27 52.57 100

Ramourhat-1 3.38 33.44 7.38 0.86 54.94 100

Ramourhat-11 3.19 50.44 6.87 0.80 38.70 100

Nalhati-1 4.23 25.77 8.53 0.00 61.47 100

Nalhati-11 3.82 25.01 10.64 4.72 55.80 100

Murarai-1 4.63 21.31 9.70 0.00 64.35 100

Murarai-11 5.06 23.90 11.07 5.35 54.63 100

Total 3.69 34.80 9.15 1.38 50.97 100 Source. Zilla Pansbad, Bi.rbhum and South 24 Parganas Distnct

204

Table A.6.3: Block-wise AUotment of Fund Under Different Categories of TSC from ZP to PS in South 24 Parganas and Birbhum District

R d upees per hun red opu ation Startup activity/ lEG School

Block SurvevWor1< Subsidy Activitv RSM/PC Sanitation Total

Baruip!Jr 58.87 107.84 68.25 0.00 128.71 363.66

Basanti 58.48 292.98 58.42 19.06 88.32 517.27

Bhagore-1 57.32 851.21 58.14 0.00 593.80 156D.48

Bhangore-11 55.87 543.70 63.27 0.00 121.19 784.03

Bishnupur II 72.31 124.53 72.45 0.00 157.68 426.98

Bishnupur-1 67.22 216.95 72.58 0.00 128.21 484.96

Budge Budge I 125.79 245.65 159.68 378.72 69.32 979.16

Budge Budge II 68.62 360.88 92.19 0.00 35.51 557.21

Canning-! 64.05 203.04 72.28 21.93 97.42 458.71

Canning-11 49.98 342.88 58.24 0.00 20.16 471.26

Diamond Harbour- I 58.36 267.78 76.62 0.00 242.88 645.64

Diamond Harbour- II 65.20 96.16 61.90 0.00 143.32 366.59

South 24 Falta 70.05 516.92 73.75 0.00 32.12 692.83

Parganas Gosaba 65.34 480.01 79.11 0.00 185.23 809.69 (during Joynagar-1 51.80 225.81 70.51 0.00 129.67 477.78

13/08/2001 Joynagar-11 50.89 95.64 61.21 119.40 27.01 354.14 to Kakdwip 55.14 434.96 59.91 0.00 28.75 578.75

31110/2004 Kuitali 50.41 201.86 71.98 27.74 0.00 351.99

KuiPi 48.40 0.00 72.35 0.00 52.64 173.39

Mandirbazar 59.07 397.60 69.93 0.00 34.41 561.00

Mathurapur II 57.58 211.10 70.62 0.00 116.05 455.35

Mathura~ur-1 36.05 480.67 76.91 0.00 154.32 747.95

MQllrahat-1 52.87 381.10 60.85 0.00 417.32 912.14

M_QQrahat-11 64.77 79.47 70.73 73.51 82.34 370.82

Namkhana 58.29 0.00 56.51 115.51 32.05 262.35

Pathar Pratima 57.56 484.13 65.88 18.67 735.86 1362.10

Sagar 52.45 526.11 62.01 0.00 32.28 672.85

Sonarpur 60.75 196.17 86.13 0.00 184.25 527.30

Thakurpukur-Maheshtala 80.30 111.00 83.71 0.00 34.44 309.46

All 59.04 294.54 69.52 16.57 153.59 593.25

BoiPUr-Sriniketan 63.37 334.79 129.23 0.00 734.59 1261.98

Dubrajpur 68.23 314.51 154.05 0.00 1236.17 1772.95

lllambazar 64.68 2486.21 309.92 48.21 873.69 3782.69

Khoyrasole 68.61 441.39 180.16 62.53 1178.92 1931.61

Lab PUr 68.60 894.69 144.38 47.53 988.13 2143.34

Mawreswar-1 73.13 782.51 164.75 0.00 671.57 1691.95

MCI}'ureswar-11 65.93 351.27 179.94 74.64 744.46 1416.23.

Md. Bazar 74.09 433.69 196.32 0.00 903.84 1607.94

Murarai-1 63.81 293.63 133.70 0.00 886.67 1377.81 Birbhum Murarai-11 59.72 282.25 130.74 63.22 645.26 1181.20

(As on Nalhati-1 54.97 334.61 110.71 798.02 1298.31 30/4/07) 0.00

Nalhati-11 64.20 420.07 178.76 79.35 937.28 1679.66

Nanoor 68.49 675.62 134.19 0.00 1211.85 2090.15

Rajnagar 74.23 720.60 256.82 38.91 1081.76 2172.32

Rampumat-1 67.75 669.45 147.66 17.21 1099.65 2001.72

RamPUrhat-11 67.24 1062.81 144.79 16.88 815.49 2107.22

Sainthia 73.91 422.91 164.09 0.00 965.86 1626.77

Suri-1 72.16 419.75 215.02 89.20 906.20 1702.32

Suri-11 71.59 785.96 250.85 0.00 932.60 2041.01

Total 66.92 630.49 165.79 24.99 923.33 1811.51 Source. Zilla Panshad, South 24 Parganas and Bilbhum

205