RAIPUR,CG: Women members of Self-Help Groups have been given a new identity as ‘Amrit Mitra’ (Didi) under the scheme of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India for Raipur Municipal Corporation areas.

The Women of self-help groups will also do cleaning of tanks, maintenance of gardens and water testing.

Raipur Municipal Corporation is the first Municipal Corporation of Chhattisgarh which has organized self-help groups in AMRUT cities to make every household aware about pure drinking water management, water conservation, conservation and water utilization.

Self-help group members have been given huge responsibilities on the field. Raipur Municipal Corporation is the first body to take steps towards economic self-reliance of the group by giving honorarium to these group members.

Municipal Corporation Commissioner Abinash Mishra, said Corporation is working towards availability of pure drinking water in Raipur urban area under AMRUT Mission. Every household should be involved in better management of water and should support government efforts towards water conservation and promotion with frugality.

He said the responsibility of creating public awareness has been given to the women members of the self-help group associated with the Municipal Corporation. The ‘Didi’s’ of the group will also play their role in the maintenance of the gardens, as well as their responsibility in spreading awareness regarding all water related activities, an honorarium has also been fixed for it.

Mishra further said that women self-help groups are engaged in important works like cleaning of water tank premises, water quality test through field testing kit at the home of the end consumer beneficiary and water testing from authorized agency or organization along with environment friendly work. The water conservation campaign will be taken forward by taking the help of folk artists in garden beautification, tree plantation, wall painting and graffiti painting.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Government of India, had recently issued guidelines under Amrit Mitra Scheme for connecting such self-help groups with expanding public awareness and making due efforts towards water management. These women will receive an honorarium of Rs 7,200/- per month fixed by the state government.