Decentralized rural water supply and sanitation services in Bangladesh: a critical overview

The devolution approach pursued by the HYSAWA Fund project has been considered for replication all over the country. By November 2010, 317 Union Parishads (UPs) have become capable of procuring services using Public Procurement Rules and preparing schemes in the area of hygiene, sanitation and water supply. They have installed nearly 16,000 water points providing access to safe water to some 1.3 million people with a significant proportion of poor and hard core poor. Breaking the traditional dilemma of UP performance they prove to be capable of utilizing funds for development activities following government rules and procedures independently. With only one functionary or staff member (Secretary) it is in fact very challenging to ensure proper implementation of development interventions. It is imperative that the UPs be provided with adequate number of functionaries along with required funds and authorities.