Managing Basic Amenities : A Study of Shortages and Constraints in Residential Water Supplies in Rajasthan

The present paper makes an attempt to estimate the demand for water in the three major sectors at a dis aggregate level. Besides, the extent of shortages in residential water supplies in urban as well as rural areas is analysed in the light of financial and other constraints. It is observed that in most of the districts the present shortages in urban areas are due to the policies pertaining to pricing, supply regulations, etc. rather than due to the supply constraints . Whereas the shortages in rural areas are of quantitative as well as qualitative nature. Very few villages are covered with piped water supplies and the quality of water available is very poor in most of the villages. In number of villages water shortages have led to the development of water markets and villagers pay much higher rate for water when compared with their urban counter parts.