#27. Women Success Story:
(GPWSC Shahpur)
In District SAS Nagar, GPWSC Shahpur came into existence in year 2013. Village Shahpur is located on the kurali Chandigarh road in the block majri. This village is comprised of 190 households with a population of 800 people having access to 200 water connections. This water supply scheme has one tube-well (200 mm) and one OHSR of 50000 litre capacity.
Prior to 2013, village Shahpur used to get water supply from Village Allahpur which is 2.5 km away. The people of Shahpur had limited access to intermittent water supply for 4 hours only. With efforts of Sarpanch Naseeb singh, IEC activities and awareness campaign had been conducted by social staff of the department. Under World Bank project, this village is bifurcated from WSS Allahpur. Since 2013, this water supply scheme is providing 24×7 metered with volumetric tariff. During all these years, Smt. Varinder Kaur played a crucial role in the sustainability of this water supply scheme. She is the woman pump operator of this scheme. She has also played an active role in collection of beneficiary share in the village and she had also helped Social staff of the department in creating awareness among villagers especially women group.
During the commencement of this water supply scheme, the GPWSC faced a challenge of selecting a pump operator for running of the tubewell, maintaining scheme and other works. It was decided to depute Varinder Kaur as she had been an active member during execution of the project. She was able to have better operation, monitoring, supervision of the water supply. Various capacity building trainings strengthened her for the operation works of the scheme. She played a crucial role in smooth functioning of 24×7 water supply scheme.
She is responsible for providing water supply in whole village. Awareness campaign at village level, Focus group discussions, Women Mohalla meetings, announcements, Pamphlets distribution etc were carried out to strengthen the capacity of all stakeholders.
Water tariff is being collected volumetrically in the village. Varinder Kaur also helps the bill collector in water meter data collection and she also sensitizes consumers about closing of taps and water conservation. With the help of GPWSC committee, she participated in campaign for saving water and has a good vision about providing clean drinking water. She played an important role in achieving 100% FHTC (Functional household tap connection) in the village.
She keeps proper record in logbook, chlorine register and complaint register. She has been trained for testing of water samples by BRCs and JE. A field testing kit (FTK) is provided to her by the department and she does water testing regularly along with sending water samples to water testing lab. She keeps her water works well maintained and with her keen interest and efforts, the water works is always clean and looks beautiful.
During the covid-19 period Varinder kaur, played an important role in providing uninterrupted water supply without any complaints. She is beckoned as the Champion of the village under the guidance of DWSS Social team. She conducted intensive Social and IEC campaigns regularly to motivate the community regarding own source Water and RO Water. These regular payments and ownership towards the service are reckoned by well-maintained records and smoothly running 24X7 water supply. The community is thankful to the department or providing safe water in the village.
Sh. Varinder Kaur
Paani di Kahaani (ਪਾਣੀ ਦੀ ਕਹਾਣੀ) 