Research And Development

Research & Development in the field of Rural Water Supply and Sanitation programme is one of the support activities of the Department of DWS for which 100% funding to research organizations including NGOs is given by the Central Government.

For this activity, a Research Advisory Committee under the Chairpersonship of Secretary (DWS) has been constituted primarily to promote research and development activities for the Mission with the following objectives:-

Functions of the Research Advisory Committee:-

1. To generate new ideas for research & development and fix priority for R&D project and decide thrust areas.

2. To identify field problems from the user departments and community organizations viz. NGOs, Voluntary agencies, etc.

3. Identify Institutions and Scientists for specific R&D projects and invite them to submit proposals.

3. Technical monitoring of hydrological systems in various sensitive zones of the country. The quantitative & qualitative aspects of drinking water sources to be monitored. RAC would identify the institutions and organizations who will be involved into this technical monitoring.

4. Help the identified scientists to formulate inter-sectoral and multidisciplina4ry research projects relevant to the Mission.

5. To scrutinize and recommend individual research project proposals.

To strengthen the R&D facilities in the concerned Departments in various States, State Governments are encouraged to establish R&D cells with adequate manpower and infrastructure. R&D Cells are required to remain in touch with premier technical institutions within the State. The network of technical institutions may follow the guidelines issued by the Mission from time to time for effective implementation of the rural water supply programme. R&D Cells are also required to be in constant touch with the Monitoring & Investigation divisions and the Monitoring & Evaluation Study Reports for initiating appropriate follow up action. The R&D Cell should keep in constant touch with the documentation and information centre of the Mission and visit at the Mission’s web site. The Mission will provide necessary assistance to the States.