Perception of the Users Regarding the Water Delivery for Domestic Purposes in Jammu City: A Human Rights Based Approach

Abstract

The situation of domestic water supply is grim in Jammu City. The crisis is attributed to the city's high functionality and massive population burden. This has led to several unallocated settlements expanding beyond the command of utility providers. Further, the constantly growing needs of the capital city has contributed to the demand-supply imbalance contributing to unevenness in the availability of water utility services. The discrepancy in the interests of stakeholders have threatened the water security and adds vulnerability through deprivation of water as a basic human right in the city. The study discusses the perception of the Users regarding water delivery for domestic purposes in Jammu City with respect to six factors of HRBA namely-availability and accessibility, acceptability, affordability, equity, citizen's participation and accountability dimensions. The implications of poor service delivery for domestic needs have added to the social and economic challenges through the increased intensity of water shortage and high economic burden of water procurement. The statistical validation of this association highlights the fundamental flaws prevailing in the utility delivery mechanism, adding to the misery of residents in Jammu city. The failure is attributed to the unfocused investments and the inappropriate infrastructure in coherence with the needs of the community. The perspective of Human Rights based approach is aimed at ensuring an unwavering commitment from the policymakers to effectively allocate and manage water resources and deliver water and sanitation services under good governance. Further, the community responses with respect to HRBA principles help in picturing the civic familiarity of the problems of domestic water delivery due to institutional failure and the problems associated with it. The shortfalls can prescribe suggestions for the policymakers that coincide with the principles of HRBA in achieving citizen's oriented smooth and efficient delivery of water resources.