Correct Answer : Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
The Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated a 2-day National Conference on Rural WASH Partners' Forum (RWPF) at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, 21st July 2023 to celebrate 1st anniversary of formation of RWPF.
The theme of the conference is ‘Accelerating Progress towards a Swachh Sujal Bharat’. RWPF is a platform set up by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) in collaboration with KPMG India for Development/ Sector Partners working in rural WASH space of India. The main objective of the Forum is to support the expeditious implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G), the flagship missions of DDWS, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Govt. of India.
The Forum has brought organizations working in the rural WASH sector under one umbrella for better collaboration & synergy, besides creating an environment of learning and knowledge sharing, finding scalable and cost-effective solutions, sharing best practices & success stories while avoiding overlap in efforts.
The inaugural session of the conference also saw launch/ release/ felicitation of following :
1. Digital WASH Academy aims : To build the capacity of various stakeholders associated with water supply programme viz. administrators, engineers, panchayat functionaries, technicians, sanitation workers and foot soldiers. The Academy will equip them with necessary knowledge and skills to effectively contribute towards achieving the Mission objectives. ECHO India a leading non-profit organization has supported the Department in establishing the Academy.
2. RWPF Annual Yearbook and Web page : The work done by the development partners in different regions & across various themes is documented in the Yearbook and showcased on the Web page. The associated acknowledgment of the work on ground by various agencies encourages the partners to perform better and support the government in reaching desired goals.
3. Swachhata Chronicles - Transformative Tales from India : A compendium of 75 ODF Plus Best Practices, showcases the innovations, measures taken to overcome barriers and raise awareness, special campaigns launched, and other endeavors of States/UTs in various ODF Plus activities in order to meet the goals of SBM-G Phase-II.
4. Field Assessment Framework and Ranking Protocol of Swachh Survekshan Grameen (SSG) 2023 : The detailed framework defining how the States & UTs will be ranked in the SSG 2023.
5. Manual for Disaster Management Plan (DMP) to ensure safety, uninterrupted supply and minimum loss of WASH assets and services. The Plan aligns with the two-flagship missions of DDWS i.e. Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G).
6. Felicitation of Four start-ups by Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti, for developing cost-effective and portable water quality testing kits under Technology Challenge conducted by Invest India with support from DDWS. Elico, Cluix and Heuristics have developed digital portable multi parameter water quality testing devices which can directly be connected with web-based Dashboard. Reports so generated can also be used for monitoring the programme. Device developed by Earthface is NABL approved for water analysis and purification.
The conference was attended by senior officers from States/UTs Mission Directors, Secretaries In-charge of JJM and SBM-G, line-Ministries of Government of India, Corporates working in WASH sector among others. Details about RWPF can be accessed at www.rwpf.in
The programme was followed by thematic session on water and sanitation on :
a) Community Outreach and engagement – creating a Jan Andolan – from infrastructure building to community ownership
b) Efficient and effective operation and maintenance for JJM & grievance redressal
c) Safely managed sanitation
d) Circular economy in Plastic Waste.
The sessions were moderated by UNICEF, Aga Khan Foundation, All India Institute of Self Governance (AIILSG), Water AID, WASH institute and Centre for Environment Education (CEE)..
Source : PIB
