Himalayan News Service

Madhyapur Thimi, February 21:

Former local representatives, social workers and the public of Madhyapur Thimi Municipality in Bhaktapur today ‘examined’ the drinking water distribution services of the Nepal Water Supply Corporation and the municipality.

The participants at the ‘social audit’ programme were asked questions on various aspects of the service providers.

They were asked to rate the water distribution services on nine different aspects — quality of water, regularity in distribution, equity, tariff and other aspects.

A report based on the on-the-spot examination — a participatory method developed by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1997 — will be published soon, the organisers said.

Speaking at the programme, chief executive officer of the municipality Bhuwan Prakash Bista said the results will be an asset for the evaluation of the institution and its services.

Lajana Manandhar, the director of Lumanti Support Group for Shelter, said the programme should be continued with follow-ups and social workers should work continuously till the positive results are achieved.

The programme was orgnised jointly by the municipality, Lumanti and Non-governmental Orghanisations’ Forum for Sanitation and Urban Water.