4,852 posts to be filled in Jal Shakti Depertment soon: Agnihotri

The state government has approved 4,852 posts in the Jal Shakti Department. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri here on Friday evening. The proposal would now be placed before the Cabinet for approval. “Posts of pump operator, para-pump operator and para-fitter have also been approved. Besides, 4,136 positions, which are currently outsourced, will be filled directly at the department level. This move is expected to save Rs 25 crore annually, compared to Rs 98 crore being paid to contractors at present,” said Agnihotri.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that other posts to be filled included 111 of work inspector, 100 junior engineer, 505 on compassionate grounds and of hydrologists. Out of the 505 posts for compassionate appointments, 76 had already been filled and documentation for the remaining posts had been verified, he added.

He said that ‘Jal Rakshaks’ would now be promoted as pump attendants after eight years of service, instead of the earlier 12-year service. “So far, 1,346 of the 3,486 ‘Jal Rakshaks’ have been promoted and the remaining will be upgraded in the due course. Pump operators and para-fitters will get a respectable salary, replacing the current monthly pay of Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000. Additionally, a new policy for multi-task workers in the department is being prepared to ensure fair remuneration,” he added.

Agnihotri said that the government was considering taking back schemes at present handled by contractors due to losses caused by natural disasters. He added, “Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, Rs 1,227 crore is yet to be received from the Central Government. This year, hundreds of water schemes were damaged due to heavy rain and floods, resulting in a loss of Rs 1,476 crore. Substantial losses, exceeding Rs 100 crore, were reported in the Mandi, Seraj and Dharampur regions.”

He said that immediate measures had been taken to provide drinking water to the affected communities. He added that funds from both the Central and state governments would be sought to restore damaged irrigation and water supply projects.