21,000 Villages of Rajasthan Will be Self-Reliant In Water

Jaipur's chief minister Vasundhara Raje's ambitious campaign which aims to make 21,000 villages of desert state self-reliant in water by 2020, was launched in the state  on Wednesday. The launch was presided over by Raje who started Mukhya Mantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan (MJSA) at Gardankheri village in Jhalawar. The campaign is claimed to be largest water conservation campaign in rural areas where ordinary citizens to NGO's and corporate to religious and social organisations will take initiatives.

While chief minister had already donated her six months salary, cabinet ministers will donate three month salaries , while legistator will be donating one month salary and entire police force of state has assured to donate their one day's salary. While addressing the campaign Take stated," We have collected Rs 7.1 crore here from local citizens, social groups and business leaders. The one day salary of entire force totals to Rs 8 crore. Then through the combined efforts and resources of the government and people, we are determined to make this state drive a success'" . Raje along with local village women, participated in the initiation of the work in de-silting a dried up tank bin Gardankheri village.

A shortfall of Rs 1,200 crore is estimated for the first phase which aims to cover 3,529 villages at cost of Rs 3,600 crore by June 30, 2016. The government hopes to meet the shortfall by active participation of both citizens and organisations. Communities and corporates are being mobilised to contribute in cash or voluntary labour towards project. 

Along with Raje, ministers, MLAs, panchayti raj functionaries, principle secretaries and other senior bureaucrats of State government inaugurated the campaign simultaneously in all 3,500 villages across 33 districts of Rajasthan. In Jaipur the campaign was launched by cabinet minister Kalicharan Saraf at Manota village.

This is great initiative by both government and citizens of Rajasthan where water scarcity is a great problem which should be tackled by the people of the state in coordination with the government .