GANGTOK (Sikkim) [India], February 23: Gramin Vikas Trust has conducted two residential training programmes under Jal Jeevan Mission-KRC programme of Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India at Hotel Green Leaf, (Pelling ) District Gyalshing The training was conducted in two batches from 9th to 12th February 2022 and the second batch from 14th to 17th February 2022, with total of 138 participants (61 participants from the first batch and 77 participants from the second batch). The participants were from SIRD & RMDD (Rural Management and Development Department), Junior Engineers from BACs/GPs, Barefoot Engineers from GPs, and Gram Panchayat/ VWSC members.  The 1st batch training was inaugurated by Director JJM Sikkim Shri Bishal Mukhiya & the 2nd batch training was inaugurated by Shri A Rohan Ramesh – IAS. Additional Commissioner, Gyalshing Shri Surat Sharma delivered the key note address to the participants. BDO Gyalshing Shri Mukesh Dahal and Joint Director SIRD Sikkim Smt Yangchen Lepcha also addressed the participants and stated that ‘’Truly Inspiring, Kudos to our JE Shri .Sachin Thatal for taking this initiative and congratulation to the entire GVT Team for an effective training’’. Shri Emmunal Rai District Engineer, Gyalshing was also present at this occasion. Shri Rajiv Kumar (Course Coordinator from GVT), welcomed the participants and motivated them to learn maximum from this training. The team GVT on the ground initiated pre-training exercise as well as preparatory actions. To get the practical knowledge during the training pre visit on 07TH February was done where, 3 teams visited 8 villages in 3 Gram Panchayat Unions to know about the existing water supply schemes and to set up meetings for participants to do field studies during the trainings. The field study was carried in Darap and Nambu villages in the Darap GPU, Singyang, Chumbong, and Naku villages in the Chumbong GPU, and Bhaluthong and Omgulp villages in the Bhaluthang GPU.
GVT has trained Engineers and community representatives on various aspects of JJM, including- providing Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) to every household and institutions such as Schools, Anganwadi Centers, Health Centers, Gram Panchayat Offices and other village level institutions with 55 lpcd drinking water of prescribed quality (BIS: 10500:2012) on a regular basis with a sustainable source for long term at affordable service. During the training, JJM was thoroughly explored like vision, objectives, components, various approaches of water supply (Pre & post-independence), as well as subjects such as water security, water quality monitoring, water harvesting, scheme design, the role of the Gram Panchayat, VWSC, and digital governance. Village water supply/security action strategy, including operation and maintenance, was also discussed. Shri Shiv Shanker Singh, Chief Executive Officer (GVT) said “I am overwhelmed with the success of the KRC training with such a dynamic participation. We all will be contributing to the JJM Mission with the best of efforts to achieve the vision of Har Ghar Jal’’ .The participants through transect walk conducted sanitary survey of the water sources and supply pipe line of surroundings. The transect walk through villages was also done to see the status of Har Ghar Jal, Grey water management and impact of water quality on the health of the people.Various water quality indicators were discussed and tested along with demonstration of Field Test Kit (FTKs) and discussed the outcome on the last day of training. The training was successfully carried out with a participatory approach.
To further motivate the participants’ success story videos on water, sanitation & development sector was shown to the participants. Smt Tripti Khanna ( Head Program, GVT) shared “ GVT will certainly look forward to learn and explore avenues at the ground level for community strengthening & deploying better services in JJM space’’. The key findings were that training to the GP members/ VWSC members/ SHGs/User Groups for JJM and various tool to enhance community participation, launch massive IEC campaign for creating awareness amongst the community was necessary, they got ready to give 5% contribution and user charges/ water tariffs provided, they got aware of JJM through training and IEC and to speed up capacity building of various stakeholders. The training was concluded in presence of SDM Mr. Gopal K Chhetri. The feedback of overall training quality was also taken from the participants. The training program concluded with the valedictory address by Course Coordinator KRC-L3, GRAMIN VIKAS TRUST, Bermiok lower, Gyalshing, West Sikkim, Sikkim Shree Rajiv Kumar and distribution of certificates to the participants with group photograph was done and he also stated that the given training is very important and the participants should apply the skills acquired during the training for sustainability of JJM. For more information visit https://gvtindia.org/
