The Jal Shakti Ministry, in response to the mass migration caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, has announced plans to deploy returning laborers to work on the Jal Jeevan Mission. This initiative, aiming to deliver piped drinking water to all rural households by 2024, promises a new source of employment for workers, particularly those from the construction sector.
Jal Shakti Ministry’s Role
As the nodal ministry for the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission, the Jal Shakti Ministry has a crucial task ahead. They have advised various states to employ returning labor, mainly those engaged in construction-related jobs, skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled, to hasten the completion of projects under the scheme.
The Significance of the Initiative
This step is potentially beneficial to the currently unemployed workers, providing them with jobs at a time of increased demand for work. The mission acts as an effective way to mitigate some impacts of the mass migration of inter-state employees back to their home states during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Demand for Work and the Need for Tap Water Connections
There has been a significant increase in demand for work due to migrant workers returning to their home states from various parts of the country. This fact is evidenced by heightened allocations under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Beyond MGNREGA, the Jal Jeevan Mission also has funds available, signaling a clear necessity for tap water connections in many households under this mission.
Construction Sector’s Involvement and Skill Mapping
Majority of returning inter-state workers are from the construction sector, as demonstrated by skill mapping carried out by various State governments. Just in Uttar Pradesh, 16 lakh out of 18 lakh identified migrant laborers are from this sector. Assurances of funding under the Jal Jeevan Mission have been given, which will likely provide employment in rural areas for these returning workers.
Detailed Look at Jal Jeevan Mission
The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) aims to supply 55 liters of water per person per day to every rural household by 2024 through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC). The mission emphasizes both demand and supply-side management of water at a local level, involving initiatives like rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and household wastewater management. With a significant amount of allocated funds, this program is poised to have a substantial impact on rural water accessibility.
Formation and Purview of Jal Shakti Ministry
The government has formed a fresh ministry named ‘Jal Shakti’, merging Ministries of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation along with Drinking Water and Sanitation. This new entity deals with issues ranging from providing clean drinking water, international and inter-states water disputes, as well as the Namami Gange project aimed at cleaning Ganga and its tributaries.
Way Forward
The National Skill Development Mission has successfully trained a workforce skilled in masonry, plumbing, fitting, electricity, etc. However, considering the current Covid-19 situation, there is an increasing realization that returning inter-State labor could be deployed across different sectors. A strategic framework for providing suitable employment opportunities to the returning citizens is needed, which would involve discussions with key stakeholders including State Governments, Industry Associations, and Employers.