Success Story of Kali Pahari village

Kali Pahari village is situated in Khamarbad panchayat, Fatehpur Block in Jamtara district and consists of 2 Tolas namely Upar tola and Aadiwasi tola with 71 households. Its distance from the block office is approximately 15 kms. and 22 kms. from the district headquarters. In the village, communities from 2 castes (Bangali and Santhal tribal) reside. There is an issue of unavailability of safe drinking water in the village. There have been numerous occasions that despite bringing up the issue to be resolved the voices of the community have gone unheard. A non-functional hand pump has not been repaired for some time. The community, particularly the women, were facing the challenge of carrying water from neighbouring villages and they had to walk a lot to cover the distance. This was making their lives miserable and the community had almost accepted it as their fate.

At a community meeting, the water crisis issue was raised for discussion. As a result, an organized collective action was decided on by the Gram Sabha members. A resolution was passed in the meeting and a copy along with an application was given to Mrs. Narpita Mahto, Jal Sahiya (a member of village water and sanitation committee) and Mr. Prakhash Marandi, Mukhiya, Dumariya panchayat. After the submission of application and its follow up, the non-functional hand pump was repaired by the concerned department (Drinking water and Sanitation Division, Jamtara.) Now, the community, particularly the women villagers are happy. The incident has instilled faith in the community on collaborative action through Gram Sabhas.