Bihar Government Launches Massive Skill Development Drive for 5,000 Plumbers

Diya Behl

Patna: In a significant boost to rural employment, the Bihar government has announced an ambitious plan to train 5,000 plumbers, or ‘Jal Mitras’, by December 2024. This initiative, part of the “Har Ghar, Nal Ka Jal” scheme, aims to equip these workers with essential skills through a new Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Bridge Course.

A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Tuesday to formalize the training program. The agreement, witnessed by Additional Chief Executive Officer of the Bihar Skill Development Mission, Rajiv Ranjan, and Chief Engineer of the Public Health Engineering Department, Sadullah Javed, also included key figures from the Water Management and Plumbing Skill Council and the Training-cum-Research Centre ‘Pranjal’.

Under the scheme, the Training-cum-Research Centre ‘Pranjal’ will select candidates from villages and panchayats across Bihar. These candidates will then undergo a 10-day training program, split between 50 hours of practical and 30 hours of theoretical instruction, provided at the block and village level. Following the training, participants will receive certification that will enhance their employability both within the state and nationally.

The Bihar Skill Development Mission will oversee the program, ensuring timely delivery and effective management. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to connect Bihar’s youth with employment and self-employment opportunities, complementing other skill development programs in areas like IT, communication, and domain-specific skills.

The launch event also saw the presence of senior officials, including Gunjan Aneja from the Water Management and Plumbing Skill Council and Bihar Skill Development Mission’s Mission Manager, Sanjeev Ranjan Neelmani.