The overarching importance of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) which is a much-focussed Central flagship scheme in pan-India context needs no retelling and hardly any GoI initiative created so much interest among the rural populace. Arunachal Pradesh is also a participant and almost silently a very important aspect of this massive project which is training of grassroots level people upon whom the responsibilities of maintenance of water distribution assets will ultimately rest has kicked off from Thursday. In the state’s context, especially in terms of steady employment generation for rural youths, it must be said that a new avenue has opened. JJM is unique in the sense that besides linking the households in the remote to remotest of pockets through water pipes, it will act as a catalyst in throwing up a new window for the young men and women to get technically trained which will thereby pay rich dividends all throughout life. It will not be irrelevant to add here how a basic vocational training in branches such as plumbing, masonry, electrical maintenance, painting and many others, the basic entry qualification is just Class VIII or Matric has created employment opportunities for millions of Indians in the Middle East, Canada and elsewhere. Human being is a resource only when he or she is trained, it’s often said and it holds true for the state’s youths as well.

The Centre has been magnanimous in doling out funds to the states for taking ahead JJM, which aims to provide Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) to every rural household by 2024 with an assured availability of 55 litres per capita per day (lpcd). In June 2020 Union Ministry of Jal Shakti approved Rs 225 cr for Arunachal Pradesh which aims to complete things a year ahead of the national target i.e. 2023. Seriousness of the Central ministry is evident from the fact it has routinely asked the state to expedite all water supply works in villages despite the pandemic. The urge must now be carried forward by the state and all district-wise deadlines must be monitored constantly with an arc on how smoothly the training of youths is being carried. These jobs, by and large have so far been delivered by manpower from other states. However, since the project by its very nature is exclusively community-centric and intrinsically rural, for all practical purposes, without the involvement of locals it will not be feasible in terms of long-term continuity.

JJM is thus a blessing for the state’s rural youth force. By engaging them in this huge exercise, confronting many of the evils such as drug abuse, alcoholism and others will be easier. Meaningful engagements like this will deter them in falling into these traps.  

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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