The Government of Assam (GOA) was keen to improve performance of the PHE Department, particularly in implementation of the NRDWP, so that it can meet the challenge of providing universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030, as per the SDG (Goal 6.1). However, the performance of the PHED in terms of being able to receive the allocated amount for the state under NRDWP and to utilize available funds had not been satisfactory for the last couple of years. Therefore, Assam PHED decided to conduct a study to understand the weaknesses of its functioning, particularly in receiving the allocated amount under the NRDWP and timely utilization of the available funds and the way forward for improving the capacity of Assam PHED, so that it can provide safe and sustainable drinking water supply to the entire rural population within the target date set for the same. The expected outcome of the study taken up by SIGMA Foundation was to identify the gaps in institutional arrangement for efficient utilization of funds that is possible to be availed by the state for improvement of drinking water supply, to recommend steps to be taken up in bridging the observed gaps, to also flag the other issues concerning improved functioning of the department.

The methodology adopted for the study was primely on Study of Secondary Literature (Reports from Assam PHED, Data available from websites of Assam PHED and Finance Department of the Government of Assam, IMIS data on MDWS website and other published reports) and phase wise interactions with key officials for rapid assessment of the problems. Capacity gaps were identified in the issues related to execution of the work, demands of funds and utilization, lack of proper supervision and monitoring, issues related to enhancing IT skills and human resource capacity

A structured recommendation was given for improving management of funds, augmenting the state budget of PHED with a provision of a revolving fund, improving the management of work in progress, improving the O&M of the commissioned schemes and improving the monitoring and supervision. Further suggestions were given for a specialized wing for planning, restructuring the PHE Directorate, delineation of the work of sanitation from PHED, improving human resource management and strengthening WQMS.