Raje’s movement for water conservation in Rajasthan becomes a People’s movement as thousands join in for the cause. Could this be a game-changer for Rajasthan?
On Wednesday, Jhalawar, the home turf of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, buzzed with excitement as Raje called on the people to join Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan – her flagship water conservation campaign for the State. CM herself held a spade and a flagon at village Gardan Kheri in Jhalawar district to launch this ambitious crowd-sourced campaign for water management.
As the CM led the crusade, general public from all across the state gave an overwhelming response and energized her campaign both in terms of dhan and shram dan. People coupled the campaign to piety for Rajasthan that barely has 1.6 per cent of water resources of the country. Within a few hours of the CM’s call, people had already contributed several crores.
CM Raje has talked relentlessly of the campaign since the beginning of 2016. We told you how this year looks like the ‘Year of #JalKranti’ for Rajasthan (Click here to know more). Ensuring that the campaign receives support by all, across all sections of the society, the launch happened with CM Vasundhara Raje seeking blessings of various religious leaders. Swami Divyanand Teerth of Jyotirmath Avantar Peeth Bhanpura, Madhya Pradesh; Yuvacharya Gyananand Teerth of Shankaracharya Peeth Bhanpura; Father Thomas of Jhalwar; Gyani Pritam Singh of Mangalpura Jhalwara; City Qazi Mufti Amiruddin of Pirawa offered religious prayers on the site.
The campaign started in 3,529 villages across the state simultaneously. Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje joined the people and lent a hand for development work of Chechi waterpond of the village for half an hour. During this, she dug soil with a spade and threw it on the banks of pond by transporting it on her head in a flagon. Altogether 21,563 villages would be covered in four years in different phases with first phase beginning in Jhalawar district. Besides the general public, Rajasthan Government has sought support of different sections of society including officials, public representatives, social and religious organizations and corporate houses to make the campaign a success. Raje also urged various establishments to adopt villages or water bodies in villages and urban areas for MJSA. Emphasizing the increasing importance of water in Rajasthan, CM said that a people-led campaign for water conservation was the most crucial step in the direction of resolving the water crisis. ” Water shortage is one concern that is common across all strata of the society. The campaign is a mass movement since everybody feels connected to the issue. They are welcome to lend their support in any form. This being the reason, I have invited all political parties and organizations for participating in the water campaign,” Raje added.
The MJSA was proposed after study of a similar pattern adopted by Maharashtra Government, where some water scarce districts have seen early turnarounds after adopting a certain model. Construction of minor irrigation tanks, canals, pipelines for drinking water, check dams, afforestation on wastelands, plantation and pasture development are some of the water conservation interventions planned under the campaign. The government also intends to link the rivers through the watershed programmes that would be executed as part of the campaign till June 30. The first phase of the MJSA estimated to cost Rs 3,568 crore will end on June 30. Water conservation and management takes strong willpower, intense planning and huge monetary resources. While Raje has no shortage of the former, financial resource is one major area of concern.
Out of the Rs 3,568 crore meant for the MJSA, the government has pooled in Rs 2,400 crore, with a big gap of Rs 1,200 crore. Hence for the first time, Rajasthan government has adopted the method of crowd funding. Here is where citizen participation matters. While Raje has pledged her own salary for six months to the campaign, cabinet ministers have committed three months’ salary. The state’s MLAs have followed suit by pledging a month’s salary and bureaucrats have promised to contribute a day’s salary to the campaign. The state police have contributed an amount of Rs 8 crore to the campaign. But the responsibility to make the state water sufficient truly lies with its people, more than any establishment.
Vasundhara Raje has ensured accountability of the entire process through a web portal where anyone can see the progress at various levels extending to the villages and also note how every penny is being spent.
This #JalKranti could lead to building of mutual respect among users, understanding and trust amongst communities, and promote peace, security and sustainable economic growth. However, operationalizing this philosophy in the desert state is an extremely great challenge. But cooperation is the only option available for Rajasthan. They say what is soft is strong; let’s hope the combined strength of the people of Rajasthan saves water, that is the elixir of life.
Every drop counts, so does every bit of contribution. Make yourself a part of the #JalKranti. Show your support at : water.rajasthan.gov.in
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