Centre to start Jal Gram scheme in every district, says Uma Bharti

In an effort to address the issues of potable as well irrigation water scarcity in villages, prime minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government is going to start Jal Gram (water village) scheme to make optimal use of water resources next year. 

Making an announcement about the launch of the scheme, union minister for water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation Uma Bharti on Saturday said that initially the scheme will be implemented as a pilot project. Bharti, who was speaking at the concluding session of the three-day national conference Jal Mathan, said that the village with utmost water scarcity in every district will be indentified as Jal Gram.

The union minister further added that the assistance of other central government ministries and voluntary organisations will also be taken in the scheme, which will be implemented in every district of the country.

Referring to the Ganga conservation programme, the water resources minister said a lot of money was spent in the past in haste which did not give desired result, adding, ‘We will do something solid on this which will have long lasting result.’

Given the fact that Indian economy is agriculture-based economy and farm sector of country is monsoon dependent, the Modi-led NDA government will launch ‘our district-our water’ programme during India water week which will be held from 13 to 17 January next year. 

The programme will focus on adopting modern technique in the field of water conversation and to make it a public movement. The move will also focus on locating every such place in every district of the country which requires water conservation. 

The centre will take technological assistance from countries likes Israel and Germany in this task.