Ranchi. Jharkhand government has taken an important decision to strengthen the drinking water system in rural areas and increase employment opportunities at the local level. Under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, three Nal-Jal Mitras will be selected in every Panchayat of the state. With this decision, more than 13 thousand people will get employment opportunities in about 4,345 panchayats of Jharkhand. This proposal of the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department has been approved in the Apex Committee meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar. The main objective of the scheme is to strengthen the system of better operation, regular maintenance and delivery of safe drinking water to the people of rural water supply schemes. Selected Nal-Jal Mitras will be given special training, so that they can solve technical problems related to water supply in villages at the local level.
Nal-Jal Mitras will be selected in 4,345 Panchayats of Jharkhand
According to the decision of the state government, there is a plan to select three Nal-Jal Mitras in all 4,345 panchayats of Jharkhand.
According to this, a total of 13,035 people across the state can get the opportunity to work. This initiative can become a source of livelihood at the local level, especially for the rural youth.
The objective of the government is to create trained human resources to operate drinking water schemes in villages.
After the implementation of this system, locally trained employees will be available to solve minor technical problems in water supply schemes.
However, whether this selection will be in the form of permanent appointment to regular government posts or under any other arrangement, the detailed terms and conditions will be clear from the guidelines of the concerned department.
Meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar
Apex Committee meeting was organized under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar with the aim of effectively implementing Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0.
Various proposals presented by the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department were discussed in the meeting.
After this, the proposal related to the selection of Nal-Jal Mitras and their skill development was approved at the Panchayat level.
Along with Drinking Water and Sanitation Department, Panchayati Raj Department and Labor, Employment, Training and Skill Development Department will play an important role in the implementation of the scheme.
Necessary guidelines will be issued to the Deputy Commissioners for the selection process and operation of schemes in the districts.
This will help in establishing better coordination between the Panchayat and the district administration.
Youth, women and ex-servicemen will get opportunities
Under the Nal-Jal Mitra program, local rural youth, women, ex-servicemen and members of self-help groups will be linked to the operation of water supply schemes by providing skill training.
The objective of the government is to make the human resources available in rural areas technically proficient.
After receiving training, the selected persons will handle common plumbing related problems, minor repairs and routine maintenance of water supply system.
Connecting women and members of self-help groups to this program can expand rural livelihood opportunities.
However, the detailed rules regarding age limit, educational qualification, reservation and other eligibility in selection have not been clarified yet.
510 hours of special training for new candidates
The government has prepared a special arrangement to technically train tap-water friends.
Under this, 510 hours of short-term skill training will be given to the candidates working in this field for the first time.
At the same time, 120 hours of skill upgradation training is proposed for persons who already have experience in operation or maintenance of water supply schemes.
During the training, focus will be on topics like operation of piped water supply schemes, identification of common technical faults, repairs and preventive maintenance.
Its objective is to prepare such trained scheme operators who can help in running the drinking water schemes in rural areas.
Agreement will be signed with institutes like BIT Mesra and ISM Dhanbad
Jharkhand government is preparing to enter into an agreement with reputed educational institutions for the skill development of tap-water friends.
Under this, there is a plan to sign MoUs with institutions like Ranchi-based BIT Mesra, Dhanbad-based ISM and Ranchi’s Nirmala College.
With the cooperation of these institutions, efforts will be made to improve the quality of training programs and develop technical proficiency.
Apart from this, training programs will be organized in collaboration with the Department of Labour, Employment, Training and Skill Development.
The government’s aim is not only to select tap-water friends but also to make them technically competent.
Command and support center will be built to monitor water supply
Under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, the digital monitoring system of rural water supply schemes will also be strengthened.
For this, there is a plan to set up command and support centers at the state and district level.
These centers will be linked to ‘Jharkhand Water Portal’, so that data and operational information related to the schemes can be better managed.
Digital monitoring systems can help in reviewing the status of water supply schemes and identifying technical problems.
This will facilitate the district administration and related departments to monitor the operation of the schemes.
Honorarium will be given from the grant of 16th Finance Commission
Financial arrangements have also been proposed for honorarium and skill training of Tap-Jal Mitras.
