Burhanpur Achieves Top Rank in Tap Water Supply via 'Jal Jeevan Mission'
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Synopsis
Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh, has become the first district in India to provide tap water to every household under the 'Jal Jeevan Mission'. The initiative also empowers local women through self-help groups managing water tax collection.
Key Takeaways
- Burhanpur is the first district in India to provide tap water to all households.
- Water tax collection is managed by women's self-help groups.
- Rs 4.5 crore has been collected through these groups.
- The initiative promotes women's empowerment and community involvement.
- The Burhanpur model may be replicated in other districts.
Burhanpur (Madhya Pradesh), Jan 30 (NationPress) The district of Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh has emerged as the first district in India to successfully deliver tap water to every household under the 'Jal Jeevan Mission'. In its rural sectors, the government has facilitated water delivery through pipelines from sources directly to homes.
In addition to this significant milestone, the responsibility for water tax collection under the Jal Jeevan Mission has been assigned to women's self-help groups. These women have set a remarkable precedent by gathering a total of Rs 4.5 crore in water tax, becoming a source of inspiration not just for Burhanpur but for the entire state of Madhya Pradesh.
It is anticipated that as the Nal Jal Yojana progresses in other districts of Madhya Pradesh under the 'Jal Jeevan Mission', the Burhanpur model will be implemented, wherein the water tax collection will be managed by the women of self-help groups. This initiative marks a crucial advancement toward the social and economic empowerment of women, paving the way for improved water management in rural communities.
Burhanpur's Livelihood Mission District Manager, Santamati Khalko, shared with IANS, “The government has successfully initiated the 'Nal Jal Yojana' in every home. However, the challenges of operational maintenance, especially during breakdowns, necessitated the establishment of a tax collection system. Self-help groups have been deployed in every panchayat, with 123 groups actively engaged. They collect tax and deposit the funds into the panchayat account, which will be utilized for operational improvements. The groups earn a 20 percent commission from the collected amount. To date, Rs 4.5 crore has been recovered across the district.”
“Women are also gaining financial independence. I believe that when this initiative launches in other districts, they will adopt this model as well,” he added.
Self-help group leader Deepika Soni from Bahadurpur stated, “Our group is named Pragati Self-Help Group. We collect tap tax door-to-door, supported by the Panchayat. The goal is to ensure that the value of the water provided by the Panchayat is recognized. By paying for water, people will appreciate its worth and learn not to waste it. Initially, we faced numerous challenges in collecting water tax. There were significant water issues in our village, but now every household has access to it. Previously, many residents avoided tax payments, but over the past year, more have willingly made payments. Our tax collection process has improved over the last three years.”
Vijay Umale from Bahadurpur Panchayat remarked, “The women involved in tax collection are benefiting from the provisions of the Nal Jal Yojana, offering employment to unemployed women. The group travels around the village to collect taxes and reports non-compliance. We assist them to ensure effective recovery, enabling the panchayat to cover expenses like cleaning and fuel. Prior to the Nal Jal Yojana, our village faced dire water shortages, with water sourced from distant wells.”
Beneficiary Chandra Mohan Singh from Bahadurpur expressed, “We used to face significant water issues. The Modi government's Nal Jal Yojana has been a great success. We now have no water shortages and do not need to approach the Panchayat with complaints. We appreciate the Modi government immensely for resolving our water issues.”
Beneficiary Anita Sunil Soni added, “We previously struggled with water access, but now it’s abundant. We had to travel far for water, which impacted daily activities like cooking and washing. Now, when we turn on the tap, water flows freely. When the women’s group comes to collect taxes, we are happy to pay. Previously, when water was scarce, there was no one to collect payments. Now, everyone willingly pays for water. Thanks to PM Modi, our water issues have been resolved.”
