DC Kathua flags off ‘Prachar Rath’; calls upon Paani Samitis to own protection of public assets

KATHUA, APRIL 10 – The Project Management Consultancy, Mission Directorate, Jal Jeevan Mission, J&K, in collaboration with District Jal Jeevan Mission, Kathua today conducted a day-long mega handholding cum awareness program here in the Auditorium of Government Degree College.

The sessions witnessed participation of different stakeholders including PRIs, Pani Samiti members, and field staff of Jal Shakti Department, Poshan Abhiyan, Health viz. ASHAs, AWWs, District Project Management Unit JJM Staff, Implementation Support Agency, water testing lab staff and other concerned.

The programme was presided over by the Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Rahul Pandey, who kick-started the proceedings of the programme by flagging off the ‘Prachar Rath’. The ‘Prachar Rath’ will spread awareness about water testing, hygiene and sanitation, Pani Samitis’ role and water conservation provisioned under Jal Jeevan Mission.

While speaking on the occasion, the DC said the JJM is one of the greatest flagship programmes of Government of India to provide tap water connection to every household. He said 299 water supply schemes, with 820 works, have been sanctioned for covering the length and breadth of Kathua district. He informed that as many as 751 works have been tendered for the construction of tubewells, borewells, besides laying pipe network to provide drinking water supply to all households in line with the Prime Minister’s resolve to provide “Har Ghar Nal se Jal”. He expressed hope that the water supply schemes coming up under JJM will resolve the shortage of drinking water supply in the district especially in kandi and hilly areas of the district.

The DC exhorted the stakeholders, including Pani Samitis, to understand in detail their role and duties and adopt best practices of water management and rain water harvesting. He further motivated them to play their role in a missionary zeal towards fulfilling the vision of JJM. He said people need to owe the responsibility at individual and collective fronts in preserving water bodies and using water judiciously in view of scarce availability of water resources.

Earlier, representative of Implementation Support Agency (ISA) for JJM conducted a session wherein he highlighted the various aspects of Jal Jeevan Mission, water management and overall conservation measures and the importance of Jal Jeevan Mission for ensuring adequate, clean tap water to every household.

IEC Expert Shajal Srivastava explained in detail the role and duties of the stakeholders including Pani Samitis, PRI members, Asha and Anganwadi workers and shared best practices of water management and rain water harvesting with the audience and motivated them to play their role in a missionary zeal towards fulfilling the vision of JJM.

The essence of Jal Jeevan Mission, water harvesting and water conservation issues were elaborated through Audio Visual aid.

SE Hydraulic Kathua, Ashwani Kumar, on the occasion highlighted the series of steps undertaken in the district for successful implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission and also emphasized on encouraging local communities to take over the rural water supply system for operation and maintenance, and help the administration so that the “Har Ghar Nal se Jal “ mission is successful.

He also briefed that various JJM schemes have been approved in the district and are presently going on at full pace and works are targeted for completion within timelines.

XEN PHE Kathua, Vikram Kumar, AEEs, staff of DPMU and other officers of various departments attended the programme.