Measuring water level at poor pay

By Prakash Bikram Shah/Abinash Chaudhary,Dhangadhi, July 31: Age has not stopped gauge-reader Ramlautan Chaudhary from working. Even though he is 72 years old, his passion is no less than that of a young man. Chaudhary, who lives in Pahalmanpur of Kailali, has been measuring the water level of the Kandra River at the Pahalmanpur water measuring station. 

"I have been doing this work since 2056 BS," he added further, "I will continue to do this work as long as I can." 

At this age, a person's body naturally becomes weak. Rest is needed more than work. However, Chaudhary, who is diligent in his work, reaches the river even at night when the monsoon is active and measures the water level and informs the relevant authorities. 

"If the water rises above five metres  in the Kandra River in Pahalmanpur, the people of Bhajani, Charra, Lalbozhi and Ganjhuwa should be alerted," he said, "as flood takes four hours to reach there, I notify and alert them to be safe, before that."

Chaudhary's role in reducing the damage caused by water-induced disasters is important. When he gives timely notice, the people of the lower coastal areas go to safe places in time. Many lives have been saved. However, the remuneration he gets for the work is very low. Chaudhary said that he is working for 200/- rupees a day. 

"There is never a holiday but the wages are low," he added. "It is hardly  pocket money, but it is better to do something than stay doing nothing."

Similarly, 62-year-old Krishnadev Bista of Darchula Gokle has been working as a gauge reader in Chamelia River for 42 years. He has been doing this work since 2038 BS for  200/- rupees a day. 

"Even at  200 rupees salary, 1 per cent tax is being deducted," Bista said, "this salary is not enough for two meals a day. Maybe new people won't work for such low wages." 

Like Chaudhary and Bista, 35 gauge readers who have been performing an important role in preventing the loss of life and property by monitoring the flow of rivers and streams in Far Western Province, are forced to work for very low wages. Many of them are senior citizens. The gauge readers have been forced to work for low wages because the state and concerned agencies, which are taking information from them, are not serious about additional service facilities. 

They have not failed to transmit information. Many times, they risked their lives to carry out their responsibilities. The water level must be measured three times a day at 8 am, 12 noon and 4 pm. When there is a flood, the water level should be measured even at night and the relevant authorities should be informed. 

Their dissatisfaction with the remuneration is justified. 

According to 65-year-old Harka Bogati of Doti, Dipayal, who has been measuring the water level in the Seti River, they have been raising their voice that the wages should be increased because the wages for challenging work are too low. "Although the file was forwarded with the demand to increase the wages, the wages did not increase," he lamented "there are no facilities for important work.” 

If the flow of water in the Seti River is higher than 8 metres at Dipayal hydro-measuring station, some areas of Pipalla market area should be alerted. 

Shankarsingh Bhatt, 62, who has been measuring the water level at Surnaya Gad in Baitadi, insists that gauge readers should receive wage of at least  500 rupees per day. Stating that he had been doing this work since 2040 BS, he mentioned that although the salary was  not satisfactory, he is satisfied with the work of saving lives and making some money  for living. 

 Durga Dhami, 62, who has been measuring water in the Dugad river in Baitadi, demands that the government should increase their wages. Guage-readers complain that their wages have not increased for six or seven years. 

Dipendrasingh Bista,  Information Officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law, said that although the issue of increasing the wages of gauge readers has been raised, there has been no concrete progress. "A law should be made to increase the wages of gauge readers," he said.