27th September 2025
Jal Rakshak to get early promotions and improved salaries
Government acts to restore water supply and HRTC losses after natural disasters
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri has said that the state government has approved the recruitment of 4,852 posts in the Jal Shakti Department. The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by him with senior officials here on Friday evening. The proposal would now be placed before the Cabinet for approval.
He said that 1,726 posts of pump operators, para-pump operators and para- fitters have also been approved. In addition, 4,136 positions currently outsourced would be filled directly at the departmental level. This move is expected to save Rs. 25 crore annually, compared to the Rs. 98 crore currently being spent on contractors.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that other posts to be filled include 111 work inspectors, 100 junior engineers, 505 positions on compassionate grounds and the posts of hydrologists. Out of the 505 compassionate appointments, 76 have already been filled and documentation for the remaining posts has been verified.
He said that Jal Rakshak would now be promoted to pump attendants after eight years of service, instead of the earlier 12-year period. So far, 1,346 out of 3,486 Jal Rakshak have received their promotions and the remaining would be upgraded in due course. Pump operators and para fitters would get a respectable salary, replacing the current monthly pay of Rs. 5,000-6,000. Additionally, a new policy for multi-task workers in the department was being prepared to ensure fair remuneration.
Mukesh Agnihotri assured that pension payments to HRTC retirees would be made at the earliest. Although salaries and pensions were being disbursed, the dates have occasionally been delayed. He said that 96 HRTC routes were running at a loss, exacerbated by buses being idle during the monsoon. He urged the central government to release the promised Rs. 1,500 crore disaster relief fund in one installment.
Regarding water supply schemes, he said that the government was considering taking back schemes presented handled by contractors, due to losses caused by natural disasters. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, Rs. 1,227 crore was yet to be received from the Centre. This year, hundreds of water schemes were damaged in natural disasters, resulting in a total loss of Rs. 1,476 crore. Substantial losses were reported in Mandi, Saraj and Dharmapur regions, exceeding Rs. 100 crore.
He said that immediate measures have been taken to provide drinking water to affected communities and funds from both the Centre and the state government would be sought to restore irrigation and water supply projects.
