Forwarded to the Portal by: Madhavi Purohit, WASMO

Image and Content Courtesy: WASMO, UNPAN

Water and Sanitation Management Organisation (WASMO), Gujarat wins the United Nations Public Service Award. Water and Sanitation Management Organization (WASMO) of Government of Gujarat has been declared winner for 'United Nations Public Service Award - 2009' under the category of "Fostering participation in policy-making decisions through innovative mechanisms"for "Institutionalization of Community Managed Drinking Water Supply Programme and User Level Water Quality". This award will be received at a ceremony to be held on 23rd and 24th June 2009 at United Nations Head Quarters in New York. It is an internationally acclaimed Award being conferred by the United Nations, Division for Public Economic and Public Administration, New York, for recognizing the significant contribution made by the organization to improve the public administration. The UNPSA Programme recognises institutional efforts to design, provide and expend services to citizens in a cost effective manner while promoting people's participation in the design of services and the definition of their needs for poverty alleviation and as a step forward to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Equally important, it serves to enhance the visibility and motivation of public servants around the world. Through an annual competition, the Awards promote the role, professionalism and visibility of public service.

WASMO is working for institutionalizing community managed water supply systems by formation of Pani Samitis at the village level. Till now more than 14,000 Pani Samitis have been formed in the State and more than 4050 Pani Samitis have already completed their projects and are managing service delivery very efficiently. The approach adopted by WASMO has brought a paradigm shift in the role of governance from provider to facilitator. Presently about 3800 more villages are implementing the projects at village level. The approach adopted by Government of Gujarat for this purpose has made a significant impact on human development index of the State.

WASMO has also implemented an ambitious programme of water quality monitoring at users' level, wherein villagers are trained for monitoring of water quality at the village level and a simple-to-use kit is provided to every village. This has resulted in ensuring safe water at the village level wherein community is able to test their water quality. All the village panchayats have been covered under this programme.

The United Nations, while congratulating WASMO have conveyed the following message:

"I am pleased to congratulate your organization on winning the 2009 United Nations Public Service Award in the category of "Fostering participation in policymaking decisions through innovative mechanisms"for the "Institutionalization of Community Managed Drinking Water Supply Programme and User Level Water Quality.Water and Sanitation Management Organization (WASMO)". Your outstanding achievement has demonstrated excellence in serving the public interest and I am sure it has made a significant contribution to the improvement of public administration in your country. It should be an inspiration and encouragement for others working for the public service".

WASMO was also awarded the prestigious Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration last year.