CM inaugurates unique “Jal Mitan-Yuva Udyami” Entrepreneurship Skill Development Project in Chhattisgarh
Raipur: Chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday inaugurated a unique programme called the “Jal Mitan-Yuva Udyami” Entrepreneurship Skill Development Project aimed at implementing and sustaining drinking water schemes in rural areas of Chhattisgarh. This initiative, conducted in collaboration with the Jal Jeevan Mission and UNICEF, focuses on training and deploying skilled ‘Jal Mitans’ in rural regions. The programme provides 21-day residential training to rural youth in various trades, including water quality testing, plumbing and pipe fitting repairs, RO fitting and repairs, electrical fitting and repairs, solar panel fitting and repairs, as well as pump operator services. The target is to provide skill development training to 58,000 rural youth in the state.
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Public Health Engineering Minister Guru Rudra Kumar distributed free toolkits to 90 trained Jal Mitans and young entrepreneurs in a programme organized at Chief Minister’s residence. The toolkits, valued at Rs 15,000 each, consisted of safety shoes, helmets, and various equipment. A total of 540 youth and 90 young entrepreneurs from the state underwent a comprehensive 21-day residential training, ensuring high-quality skill development for the sustainable maintenance of the constructed infrastructure for drinking water supply.
Addressing the programme, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel stated that Chhattisgarh is the first state in the country where a large number of youth are being trained for the implementation and maintenance of drinking water schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission. They are being prepared as ‘Jal Mitan’, ‘Yuva Udyami’, and ‘Jal Didi’ for the better management and operation of these schemes.
He mentioned that the state government is making continuous efforts to connect the youth with self-employment and employment. The youth are also being provided skill development training along with unemployment allowances. He further stated that a total of 540 youths have received high-level training under the Jal Jeevan Mission, and they have been provided free tool kits today. These trained ‘Jal Mitans’ and ‘Jal Didis’ have been provided with new opportunities for self-employment. Chief Minister congratulated and extended his best wishes to all the trained youth for their future endeavours.
Chief Minister said “The state government has set a target to provide individual household tap connections to 50 lakh rural households in Chhattisgarh. Currently, tap connections have been provided in 24 lakh households. Given the substantial number of tap water connections established in households, there is a considerable demand for trained young individuals who can efficiently operate and maintain these systems, thereby guaranteeing their seamless functionality. These trained youth will now have consistent employment opportunities, and there will be no shortage of work.”
PHE Minister Guru Rudra Kumar, while presiding over the programme, stated that due to the lockdown, we only got a two-year timeframe for the works of the Jal Jeevan Mission. He commended the Jal Jeevan Mission team, acknowledging their hard work and dedication that resulted in achieving 45 per cent of the targeted goal of providing household tap connections within a span of just two years. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continue working in the same manner and strive to complete the task of providing tap connections throughout the entire state at the earliest, ensuring the prompt supply of clean drinking water to rural households.
UNICEF Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Specialist Shweta Patnaik, in her address, stated that Chhattisgarh is the first state in the country to launch the “Jal Mitan” programme. This programme aims to ensure the sustainable maintenance of water supply schemes at the Panchayat level in Chhattisgarh. It is based on the concept of a “One-Stop Solution” using a skilled and entrepreneurial model for the upkeep of drinking water infrastructure. Jal Jeevan Mission Chhattisgarh Mission Director Alok Katiyar delivered a vote of thanks to the special guests and attendees.
