Dhalbhum SDO Sunil Kumar Sinha inaugurates the water tank at Baghadera under Haludbani panchayat of Jamshedpur block on Friday. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, May 13: He is a summer Samaritan who works instead of wish. Meet 37-year-old zilla parishad member Rajkumar Singh, the water messiah for some 1.5 lakh people in Jamshedpur block.

While cash-strapped rural bodies are waiting for government funds for almost six months, Singh is contributing from his own resources to install water tanks in different panchayats under his jurisdiction to help residents battle an acute crisis this swelter season.

Dhalbhum sub-divisional officer (SDO) Sunil Kumar Sinha today inaugurated Singh’s maiden gift — a 2,000-litre water tank and an 8,000-litre tanker — at Baghadera under Haludbani panchayat, about 15km from the city. Two more water tanks, both of 2,000-litre capacity, will be installed at Vidyasagar Palli and Bagantola under the same panchayat over the next couple of days.

The zilla parishad member has contributed Rs 3.5 lakh from his savings for the water tanker and an additional Rs 13,000 for a motor that can pump up water to three-storey buildings. Besides, the tanks being installed also cost him Rs 13,000 each.

Addressing a motley gathering of 250-odd grateful people at Baghadera this morning, SDO Sinha said: “Our society needs more people like this zilla parishad member who is working without any selfish motive. The initiative taken by Rajkumar Singh to solve the drinking water crisis is commendable. The district administration will extend necessary help.”

Talking to The Telegraph, the zilla parishad member said he planned to install several more water tanks (2,000 litres) in at least nine other panchayats, including Parsudih, Shankarpur, Sarjamda, Sopodera, Gadra and Tilkagarh within a fortnight.

“It gives me a sense of satisfaction to work for the welfare of my people. Almost all panchayats under my jurisdiction are facing an acute crisis since the water table has depleted. Water is not available even at 800ft. With no panchayat funds from the government, I decided to do something to resolve the crisis,” he said.

Singh hailed Jusco, a subsidiary of Tata Steel, and the district administration for helping him in his venture. “I am thankful to Jusco for providing water from its sources free of cost. Deputy commissioner (East Singhbhum) Himani Pande too supported my cause,” he said.

Two corporate houses — Tata Power and Lafarge — also earned the Samaritan’s gratitude for providing drinking water to residents of Rahargora and Barigora, respectively, following his request. The corporate houses have recently started supplying 20,000 litres of water to the localities situated on the outskirts of the city, Singh said.

A former state vice-president of the BJP’s youth wing, Singh was always known for his philanthropic activities and had won the November panchayat polls by a convincing margin.

His magnanimity was summed up best by a former sarpanch of Haludbani. “Pyase ko pani dena, isse koi aur bada kaam nahin (There can be no other illustration of nobility than providing water to the thirsty),” said Meghla Tudu.