#33. Water Sufficiency in Mehdinpur Village in Pathankot District, Punjab due to Gram Panchayat Water Sanitation Committee
Introduction
Access to pure drinking water is fundamental to human well-being and an indispensable element for sustaining life itself. Keeping this view, Jal Jeevan Mission was started on 15th August, 2019. The aim of the mission is to ensure access to clean water to every rural household in the country. Punjab, as a frontrunner in rural water supply and the mission, achieved the milestone of 100% tap water coverage in April 2022. Punjab’s commitment to providing uninterrupted, quality drinking to its people is commendable.
The case study is one exemplary success of supplying drinking water in the village of Mehdinpur, located in Pathankot district of Punjab. The village is just 2 km from Taragarh Town. The village has 175 households comprising of 43 SC households and 132 general category households. Mehdinpur village did not have water supply scheme prior to 2014. People had to look to other villages for clean water. People were forced to seek water from neighboring villages and often the villagers exposed themselves to water-borne diseases. Due to effort of DWSS, a water supply scheme was constructed in the village. This scheme not only brought clean water in the village, but also raised awareness about waterborne diseases among villagers. Social staff of DWSS educated the villagers about the perils of contaminated water. Water quality tests were conducted in the village. Initiative was taken by DWSS for formation of GPWSC, which played a pivotal role in maintaining the water supply scheme.
Interventions to Improve Water Supply Situation
The gram panchayat, with guidance from officials of DWSS, fulfilled all the prerequisites for the new water supply scheme such as resolutions in gram panchayat, submission of zamabandi, MOU, beneficiary share, etc. Consequently, a single-village water supply scheme was sanctioned for Mehdinpur village by the government. After the water supply scheme started functioning in year 2015, people started getting uninterrupted water supply from morning till evening. All householdsin the village have tap connections. Not a single family is left from tap connection. Villagers are elated with this service, as water even reached 3rd floor of building without pumping.
After completion of construction of the water supply scheme in 2015, it was handed over to GPWSC and Sri Subhash Chander was appointed as Pump Operator by the GPWSC. Proper training was provided to the operator on. Today, the operator efficiently manages the scheme, ensuring 100% revenue collection and regular chlorination. Proper training was also given by the Block Resource Coordinator to the pump operator on revenue collection, water testing using FTK and H2 Vials and record keeping. The pump operator is doing his duty efficiently. He is doing 100% water revenue collection from the village and chlorination of supplied water on regular basis.
Social and IEC Interventions
Major activities performed as social and IEC interventions in the village are as below.
i) Interaction with PRI’s & Rural Community
ii) Monthly Meetings with GPWSC.
iii) People were made aware of water borne diseases.
iv) Organising Village Rally, Muniyadis and Celebrations of various international events like hand washing day, Jal Mahautsav, Teej Festival, etc.
Role of GPWSC
Offcials of DWSS continually reinforced capacity of GPWSC through trainings. These efforts have enabled GPWSC to establish financial sustainability by adhering to rules and regulations and addressing issues propmtly. Regular monthly meetings have been instrumental in tackling concerns related to the water supply scheme. To further strengthen the GPWSC, social staff of DWSS conducted training on various aspects such as maintenance of record, water conservation and the risks associated with unauthorized water pump installations in water supply pipelines. Monthly records like Logbook, Complaint Register, FTK Register, Ledger Book, Cash Book etc. are meticulously updated every month. An operational and maintenance bank account has been opened in the name of GPWSC to manage income and expenditure. All the financial transactions are recorded in the proceeding register of the committee after each monthly meeting.
The GPWSC manages all billing activities transparently. With the support of the Pump Operator, GPWSC is ensuring the collection of monthly tariffs. The pump operator was given technical guidance by engineers of DWSS. The GPWSC has demonstrated its capacity to maintain the water supply system by resolving all technical faults like leakages, motor failures, any other issues related to operation and maintenance.
Transparency on the water supply scheme and GPWSC is ensured through a display wall at the water works site, showcasing water supply hours, financial details and GPWSC member’s contact information. This transparency has fostered a sense of responsibility among villagers, resulting in consistent tariff payments even during challenging times like COVID-19 pandemic.
In the village, various days like Hand washing day, Jal Maha Utsav and International Women Day, Teej festival are celebrated with the help of social staff of DWSS, GPWSC and other key members of community. These celebrations raise awareness about responsible water usage and prompt payment of water bills, contributing to the community’s overall well-being.
GPWSC has become strong due to will of the villagers and support by the social and technical field staff of DWSS. It has transformed the lives of Mehdinpur’s residents by ensuring access to potable water. The efforts stand as a testament to the power of community collaboration and effective water management.
Issues and Challenges Faced
Challenges faced in implementation of the scheme are:
i) Inefficiency of people to give beneficiary share or contribution.
ii) Problems in selecting pump operator.
Lessons Learnt
The following are the lessons learnt:
i) Regular meetings are helpful to create interest of the people.
ii) Regular contacts with Community plays a great role in behavioral changes. iii) Door to door visits, regular meetings with GPWSC and celebrations of international events by DWSS social staff have created a faith on Government department, officials and policies
Paani di Kahaani (ਪਾਣੀ ਦੀ ਕਹਾਣੀ) 