#34. Women Empowerment in under JJM in Litt Village, Block Nadala, Distt. Kapurthala, Punjab
Introduction
Jal Jeevan Mission was announced on 15th August 2019 by the Hon’ble Prime Minister. Punjab state has been proactive in providing piped water supply facilities in rural areas, making it a forerunner in this mission. The drinking water supply schemes in the state primarily rely on tube wells and surface sources. Punjab achieved 100% tap water coverage under Jal Jeevan Mission in April 2022. All the rural households are covered, and uninterrupted potable water supply is provided on regular basis.
The present case study pertains to a women pump operator engaged by GPWSC in the water supply scheme in Litt village in Kapurthala District in Punjab State. Litt village is located on Kartarpur – Bhulath road. Population of the village is 1247 with 230 households. Presently, there are 243 FHTCs in the village. In the village, people mostly depend on agriculture. The rests are agricultural labourers. The village did not have adequate water supply system. The community suffered from the water scarcity and there was no regular water supply. Villagers used to receive water from the neighbouring Ramgarh village, which is two kilometres away. A multi-village water supply scheme in Ramgarh was commissioned, which provided potable water to four villages namely Ramgarh, Litt, Mana Talwandi and Sher Singhwala. Subsequently, new water supply schemes for Village Mana Talwandi and Sher Singhwala were constructed. Gram Panchayat of Litt too demanded a separate water supply scheme for the village as water provided through Ramgarh was not sufficient. The communities took collective initiative and Litt Gram Panchayat approached the Department of Water Supply and Sanitation and demanded separate new water supply scheme.
Interventions under Jal Jeevan Mission
To improve the situation of inadequate water supply in the village, officials of DWSS explained the villagers about the procedure required to secure permission for sanctioning a new water supply scheme. It was explained that Gram Panchayat is required to pass a resolution, submit zamabandi, enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with DWSS, decide beneficiary share, etc. The Gram panchayat fulfilled all the desired requirements and submitted proposal for a new water supply scheme. The proposal was sanctioned by the State government. The work for construction began on 29th October 2021 and the scheme was completed on 21st August 2022. The water supply scheme received full cooperation from the local communities, PRIs and government officials. During planning and implementation stage of the water supply scheme, it was ensured that the community participates during pre and post-implementation phases. The community was involved in supervision of construction works and provided required help to DWSS.
After completion of the construction, it was ensured that water was supplied in every rural household of the village in sufficient quantity of prescribed quality with adequate pressure even at the tail end households. Villagers are happy with the services as water even reached to third floor of their house. As per the provision of the Jal Jeevan Mission guidelines, operation and management of the scheme were to be carried out by the Gram Panchayat and its sub-committee i.e., Gram Panchayat Water and Sanitation Committee (GPWSC). In compliance to the guideline, a Gram Sabha meeting (Aamjilas) was called and discussed about the operation and maintenance of the scheme. For efficient O & M of the scheme, DWSS built the capacity of GPWSC through various trainings. The Gram Panchayat passed a resolution and selected Mrs. Reeta as the pump operator. Trainings were provided to Mrs. Reeta by Block Resource Coordinator on collection of monthly revenue, water testing and efforts required to sustain the programme.
Issues and Challenges Faced
The challenge faced in the village is on convincing villagers to collect beneficiary contribution for the scheme. There was also challenge in selecting a women pump operator for the scheme. Despite apprehension from some villagers, a women pump operator was selected by GPWSC.
Women Empowerment in Litt Village
Operation and maintenance of the scheme is efficiently being carried out by Mrs. Reeta engaged as the pump operator. As pump operator, Mrs. Reeta maintains the water meters records, which are installed in every household. Collection of water charges is based on volume of water consumed by each household every month. Proper chlorination of water and regular testing of residual chlorine with the help of field test kit are being done by the pump operator. Testing of water are done regularly with the help of field test kit. All the records like Ledger, Cashbook, logbook, chlorination register etc. are maintained. Now, the scheme is fully financially sustainable with volumetric tariff in place. GPWSC is charging as per usage.
Lessons Learnt
There must not be any gender bias in engaging personnel for O & M of water supply scheme. Women pump operator can be as efficient as any men operator. In fact, women operator can be more efficient in maintaining accounts, billing and collection of revenue in water supply scheme. Government agencies and GPWSC need to give equal opportunity to women in O & M of water supply scheme. Special provision needs to be made for adequate skill training to women in O & M, repair of pumps, motors, electrical and plumbing works.
Paani di Kahaani (ਪਾਣੀ ਦੀ ਕਹਾਣੀ) 