JAIPUR: Keeping in mind panchayat and urban bodies’ elections which are just a few months away, chief minister Ashok Gehlot has allocated Rs 8,445-crore for water supply in villages and small towns.
According to government’s plans, 390 villages having a population of above 4,000 will get piped water. Rs 950 crore will be allocated for the project.

Around 1,250 villages affected with fluoride problems will get de-fluoride units running on solar power.

Depleting ground water has always been a major source of concern. Vasundhara Raje had launched Jal Swablamban Yojna during her tenure, which has now been renamed as Rajiv Gandhi Water Conservation Scheme.

Under this scheme, awareness will be generated to restore traditional water conservation methods, construct new sources of water conservation and plant trees.

The state government has also decided to request the Centre to grant national project status to Eastern Canal Project worth Rs 37,000 crore.

In the irrigation sector, Rs 4,675 crore has been allotted in the budget. Gehlot said old dams and water bodies would be restored.

The chief minister further said that state government will make plans to stop water flowing into Pakistan. According to plans, 211 big dams will be restored by spending Rs 965 crore.

A MoU has also been signed with the Punjab and central government which will help people living in the border areas avail the benefits of the Indira Gandhi Canal.

There is also a plan to irrigate 20,000 hectares under Chaudhary Kumbharam Lift Canal irrigation area, the chief minister said.

*Original article online at https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/mega-cash-splash-for-water-schemes-before-rural-polls/articleshow/70165581.cms

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