#6. Water Availability & Accessibility – Human Right
Water is a basic necessity for sustenance for human life. Thereby availability of water in adequate quantity to meet the requirements of an individual is universally accepted as a human right.
The land of the Saints and wise, Hoshiarpur has a small village known by the name Simbli, in block Garhshanker. Simbli village has a population of 2000 with 391 water connections. The village faced issues due to lack of availability of water as they did not have their own water supply connection. The village was dependent upon the water facility available in Ghamai village situated 2 kms away. However, this water supply was insufficient to meet the daily needs of the Simbli village. These issues were intensified by other problems like low water pressure as well as leakages in the laid pipelines. The most adverse effects of this scarcity were borne by the women and the children as unavailability led to increased travel for water collection and the consumption of unsafe water led to several ailments.
These concerns of the village led to deliberations among the Panchayat and the community for a resolution. The issues were escalated further in the community and were reported for a sustainable solution to the Department of Water Supply and Sanitation, Garhshanker division. In the course of the discussions Panchayat raised their demand for a separate water supply scheme to be established in their village. The Department agreed to their demand and work was initiated for the infrastructural development. Emphasis was laid in capacitating the Panchayat and the GPWSC, their roles & responsibilities for sustainable management of the scheme began with immediate effect.
The then acting Sarpanch, Mr. Harjinder Singh played a pivotal role in the formation of GPWSC as well as collecting the beneficiary share for the successful implementation of water supply scheme. Mr. Harjinder Singh along with other opinion leaders went door to door and motivated the community on the importance of beneficiary share for ensuring the water supply in the village, water conservation activities and community participation. More than 90% of the people of the village contributed to beneficiary share, people adopted various water conservation techniques, showed behaviour change in the judicious utilisation of water. This proved the success of the campaigns conducted by means of the wall paintings and door-to-door communications. The community also gave emphasis on the women participation as to curb the burden of the issues borne by them and also the regular payment of bills. These successful campaigns led to the transfer of the ownership to the GPWSC on 3rd May 2014. As on date the GPWSC has a surplus fund of Rs. 2 Lakh in their O&M account. This amount is maintained after the monthly payment of electricity bills, salary of Pump operator and other miscellaneous expenditures to the tune of Rs.20,000-24,000/-. These savings were also used for landscaping of the water works and beautifying of the scheme. An attractive park was built utilising the funds saved after expenditure. Gradually the park has become a part of the lives of the community and is used as a place for community gatherings and leisure activities.
As per the former chairperson of the GPWSC, Mr. Harjinder Singh, the success of the project could be attributed to the feeling of brotherhood, community participation and the will of the villagers, that made the dream of safe water in each household come true.
Paani di Kahaani (ਪਾਣੀ ਦੀ ਕਹਾਣੀ) 