Odisha: Women SHGs Take Charge Management of Piped Water Supply

Bhubaneswar: In yet another remarkable step towards economic empowerment of Women Self Help groups, the Odisha Government has decided to rope in WSHGs in management of piped water supply in the State.

While launching the Jalasathi programme at the Rail Auditorium here on Wednesday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said that mothers are more cautious about good health of the family and clean water is the most vital thing for a healthy life. Hence the inclusion of members from WSHGs in piped water supply is a praiseworthy initiative.

The State Government has engaged the WSHGs in different productive activities, such as electricity meter reading, paddy procurement for their economic empowerment and the WSHGs have successfully managed their roles, the CM said.

Now the women will work as Jalasathis to win trust and confidence of the people and act as a connecting link between the government and the people, Naveen said.

The Chief Minister also expressed confidence that the Jalasathis will play a major role in ensuring supply of piped water to each household.

With the signing of the MoU, the WSHG members will serve the people as Jalasathis whose responsibilities include field testing of water quality, facilitating new water connections, regularising connections, reassessment of demand, meter reading, bill generation, and bill deliver.

They will also be responsible for collection of water charges and facilitating complaints redressal.

An MoU was signed between WATCO (Water Corporation of Odisha) and Women Federations in Bhubaneswar.

Jalasathi programme was launched in the pilot zones in Bhubaneswar under the 5T initiative of the Housing & Urban Development department for ensuring supply of clean drinking water to consumers through piped water systems.

The major objective of the program is to transfer the ward level water distribution and consumer management to women SHG volunteers who will work as Jalasathis.

Recently, the State Government has decided to hand over the management of midday meal (MDM) scheme at schools to WSHGs.