'Gobardhan' scheme launched from Haryana

New Delhi: Union Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation Uma Bharti on Monday launched the GOBAR (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources - DHAN scheme. The scheme, which is aimed at positively impacting village cleanliness and generate wealth and energy from cattle and organic waste, launched from Karnal in Haryana.

The government is aiming to create new rural livelihood opportunities and enhancing income for farmers and other rural people with the implementation of the scheme across the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Bharti reiterated the Prime Minister's statement, "Vikas tab hoga jab jan andolan banega" (A peoples' movement will foster development).

Terming Gobar-dhan scheme as a key component of the ODF-plus strategy in the country, the minister said, "It has the potential to convert waste into energy. The people should accept change, follow change and participate in change happening in rural India under the Swachh Bharat Mission."

Bharti also mentioned that under Gobar-Dhan scheme, cooking gas would be provided to rural habitations and technical support would ensure that the schemes functioned on a sustainable basis.

Present on the occasion, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that the state government is making arrangements for generating biogas from cattle dung and would also assist those gram panchayats seeking to set up a gas plant in their villages.

Noting that there are about 450 gaushalas and Nandishalas in the state with the strength of about 3.41 lakh cattle, Khattar said, "This (scheme) would not only ensure cleanliness but also help to double the income of farmers."

"The Gobar-Dhan scheme has been conceptualizing with an aim to convert waste into bioenergy, gas and compost which would not only benefit the people but also maintain cleanliness in the villages," the Haryana CM said.