The paper discuses the unique method of Operations and Maintenance (O and M) type of financing with special reference to the Sri Satya Sai Water Supply Project in the Ananthapuram district of Andhra Pradesh. The successful completion of the project is an extraordinary example of public-private and people partnership, which has set an example to the policymakers, the State government and the beneficiaries. India is becoming a water-scarce country. Water problem is being experienced in almost every nook and corner of the country. Though it is the government's responsibility to make water available to the common man, it may not always be possible to do so. Therefore, it is "we", who should come forward and help ourselves by drawing the attention of the government.

This study explains how through O and M type of financing, the Sri Sathya Sai Water Project was successfully implemented in Ananthapur, India. Though one might have heard about the public and private partnership, this project is a classic example of public-private and people partnership, which could never have been possible without the support of the people of Ananthapur. Table 1 provides the details of stakeholder participation in the whole project. Ananthapur is one of the districts that faced drought problem during the 1970-90s. Drinking water was a major problem before this project actually came into operation. People had to go 2-3 km to get two vessels of water, and this resulted in loss of mandays. The available drinking water was not sufficient to the villagers and it contained excess fluoride. All these factors affected the standard of living of the villagers.

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