Decentralised Governance in Water and Sanitation in Rural India

Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) impact health, nutrition, and livelihood status of millions of Indians every day. Decentralized governance is a key strategy for enhancing efficiency, equity, and justice in this vital sector. Improving governance is not an option; it is in fact essential, given the enormous challenges faced by India. This volume critically examines the decentralization of governance in particular to the water and sanitation sector in rural India. The book showcases leading voices—including those of academians, practitioners, and policymakers—from various parts of India. It begins with an introduction to the basic core issues related to the subject, then details the present scenario in the country and in specific states along with practical examples for their resolution, moving on to broader aspects of good governance in the field, and finally gives implementable remedies. Decentralised Governance in Water and Sanitation in Rural India is a useful compendium for practitioners, academians, civil society activists, policy planners, and also the common citizens—the ultimate consumer of these services.